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Content archived on 2024-06-18

From nanolayers to solar cells: Advanced in-situ optical characterization of thin-film materials

Objective

This project aims at the development of advanced surface-sensitive characterization methods for PHOTOVOLTAICS (PV) MATERIALS RESEARCH within the framework of enhancement of mutual collaboration between the European host research group at TU-Eindhoven and the applicant's group of origin at UT-Dallas (USA). Nanolayer-engineering based on advanced deposition of ultra-thin oxides becomes an increasingly important subject in the current worldwide efforts to boost solar cells efficiencies. Advanced real-time non-destructive monitoring of reactions that take place on semiconductor surfaces during oxide nanolayer deposition is the key factor that allows precise control over the thin-film quality and functionality. (Non)linear vibrational spectroscopic methods are known to be especially powerful in surface and interface analysis at sub-monolayer coverage. To gain fundamental understanding of surface chemistry of ultra-thin oxides, we propose to develop broadband sum-frequency generation (BB-SFG), a novel nonlinear surface-specific vibrational spectroscopic technique for in-situ monitoring of PV-related deposition processes. The project will benefit from the unique combination of internationally acclaimed UT-Dallas group's expertise in application of vibrational spectroscopy to fundamental studies of surface phenomena and TU/e expertise in real-time optical monitoring of thin film deposition processes. In combination with infrared spectroscopic tools and other standard surface-sensitive techniques, we intend to explore the properties of atomic-layer deposited (ALD) oxides for (i) Si surface passivation of crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells and (ii) buffer layer engineering in Copper-Indium-(Gallium-) Diselenide (CI(G)S) thin-film solar cells. Intended at innovations in current and next generation photovoltaics, this project lies within the EU aims to strengthen European competitiveness in the global PV marketplace through technological leadership in R&D.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MC-IIF - International Incoming Fellowships (IIF)

Coordinator

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN
EU contribution
€ 191 675,40
Address
GROENE LOPER 3
5612 AE Eindhoven
Netherlands

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Region
Zuid-Nederland Noord-Brabant Zuidoost-Noord-Brabant
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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