Effects of Laser Energy on Zinc Oxide Thin Films Prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition for Solar Cells

Ahmed S. Jaber, Khalil I. Inad, Sawsan H. Abdullah

Abstract

Zinc oxide thin films were deposited using pulsed laser deposition at 400, 500, and 600 millijoules. X-ray diffraction showed polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structures oriented along the 002 direction. Crystallite sizes ranged from 21.3 to 33.7 nanometers depending on laser energy. Atomic force microscopy revealed grain size increased from 52 to 85 nanometers at higher energies, while average surface roughness decreased from 3.6 to 1.3 nanometers. This indicates smoother, more uniform surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed improved surface homogeneity and reduced aggregation at 600 millijoules. Optically, raising laser energy increased transmittance and widened the bandgap from 2.65 to 3.19 electron volts. Films deposited at 600 millijoules achieved 92.8 percent optical transmittance at 950 nanometers. Furthermore, higher laser power significantly enhanced zinc oxide and porous silicon solar cell performance. The open-circuit voltage increased to 0.36 volts, and short-circuit current density reached 23 milliamperes per square centimeter. Maximum output power grew from 2.08 to 2.99 milliwatts per square centimeter, boosting conversion efficiency from 2.08 to 2.99 percent. Ultimately, increasing deposition energy from 400 to 600 millijoules critically improves the structural, morphological, optical, and photovoltaic properties of zinc oxide thin films for advanced solar applications.

Keywords

zinc oxide; pulsed laser deposition; x-ray diffraction; atomic force microscopy

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/jeeict.8.2.122974

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