Single step deposition method for nearly stoichiometric CuInSe2 thin films
Abstract This paper reports the production of high quality copper indium diselenide thin films using pulsed DC magnetron sputtering from a powder target. As-grown thin films consisted of pin-hole free, densely packed grains. X-ray diffraction showed that films were highly orientated in the (112) and/or (204)/(220) direction with no secondary phases present. The most surprising and exciting outcome of this study was that the as-grown films were of near stoichiometric composition, almost independent of the composition of the starting material. No additional steps or substrate heating were necessary to incorporate selenium and create single phase CuInSe2. Electrical properties obtained by hot point probe and four point probe gave values of low resistivity and showed that the films were all p-type. The physical and structural properties of these films were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Resistivity measurements were carried out using the four point probe and hot probe methods. The single step deposition process can cut down the cost of the complex multi step processes involved in the traditional vacuum based deposition techniques.
Nano-structured morphological features of pulsed direct current magnetron sputtered Mo films for photovoltaic applications
Abstract Historically, molybdenum thin films have been used as the back contact for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 based solar cells and as such the properties of these layers play an important role in the overall cell structure. This paper describes the production of molybdenum films using pulsed d.c. magnetron sputtering from compressed molybdenum powder targets. The films were deposited at different substrate temperatures under constant power and constant current modes, and analysed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and four point resistance probe. Mechanical strain and resistivity were found to decrease with substrate temperature together with a shift in the (110) crystallographic plane towards higher diffraction angles. All films were well adhered to the glass substrates irrespective of their high tensile strain. Surface morphology analysis revealed the presence of nano-structured stress relief patterns which can enhance the nucleation sites for subsequent CuInSe2 deposition. A high-resolution cross sectional image showed the columnar growth of the films. Surface roughness analysis revealed that roughness increased with increase in substrate temperature.
Prevention of Barite Sag in Oil-Based Drilling Fluids Using a Mixture of Barite and Ilmenite as Weighting Material
Drilling high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) wells requires a special fluid formulation that is capable of controlling the high pressure and is stable under the high downhole temperature. Barite-weighted fluids are common for such purpose because of the good properties of barite, its low cost, and its availability. However, solids settlement is a major problem encountered with this type of fluids, especially at elevated downhole temperatures. This phenomenon is known as barite sag, and it is encountered in vertical and directional wells under static or dynamic conditions leading to serious well control issues. This study aims to evaluate the use of barite-ilmenite mixture as a weighting agent to prevent solids sag in oil-based muds at elevated temperatures. Sag test was conducted under static conditions (vertical and inclined) at 350 °F and under dynamic conditions at 120 °F to determine the optimum ilmenite concentration. Afterward, a complete evaluation of the drilling fluid was performed by monitoring density, electrical stability, rheological and viscoelastic properties, and filtration performance to study the impact of adding ilmenite on drilling fluid performance. The results of this study showed that adding ilmenite reduces sag tendency, and only 40 wt.% ilmenite (from the total weighting material) was adequate to eliminate barite sag under both static and dynamic conditions with a sag factor of around 0.51. Adding ilmenite enhanced the rheological and viscoelastic properties and the suspension of solid particles in the drilling fluid, which confirmed sag test results. Adding ilmenite slightly increased the density of the drilling fluid, with a slight decrease in the electrical stability within the acceptable range of field applications. Moreover, a minor improvement in the filtration performance of the drilling fluid and filter cake sealing properties was observed with the combined weighting agent. The findings of this study provide a practical solution to the barite sag issue in oil-based fluids using a combination of barite and ilmenite powder as a weighting agent to drill HPHT oil and gas wells safely and efficiently with such type of fluids.