Structure and Composition Analysis of Cu(In,Al)Se2 Thin Films Prepared by Rapid Thermal Selenization

Thin films of CuIn1-xAlxSe2 (CIAS) were prepared by stacked elemental precursor layers in an inert ambient. The stacking sequence of precursor layers may affect the kinetics of phase formation. The soda lime glass (SLG)/Cu/Al/In/Se sample heated at 750 °C for 30 s with a temperature ramp rate of 15 °C/s may react to form single-phase CIAS thin films with a chemical composition fairly close to the predetermined value. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of a selenized film prepared at 600 °C revealed the segregation of the content of Al to the substrate side and a relatively large variation of Al distributed in a lateral direction as compared with those of other elements. Changing the Cu and Al layer sequence may affect the reaction paths and lead to the formation of a mixture of two CIAS quaternary phases with different compositions.