New Publication: 3D Analysis Reveals How Silver Alloying Shapes CIGS Solar Cell Performance
Structural analyses and photovoltaic device simulations in two and three dimensions applied to Ag‑alloyed Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ solar cells
The Hi‑BITS consortium is pleased to announce a new peer‑reviewed publication in Journal of Physics: Energy that advances the understanding of how microstructure influences the performance of Ag‑alloyed Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) solar cells.
As CIGS technologies move towards thinner absorbers and higher efficiencies, the internal structure of the material plays an increasingly important role. This study combines two‑ and three‑dimensional electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) with numerical device simulations to analyse how silver (Ag) incorporation affects grain structure and photovoltaic behaviour.
🔗 Read the full publication and access supporting data:
https://zenodo.org/records/17453961
Why Microstructure Matters
Silver alloying is widely explored as a route to improve absorber quality and processing flexibility. However, conventional two‑dimensional analyses can overlook critical features related to grain boundaries and three‑dimensional connectivity.
By integrating experimentally derived 3D structural data into device simulations, the study shows that:
Ag incorporation leads to larger grains and reduced grain boundary density
Reduced grain boundary density can improve open‑circuit voltage, particularly when minority carrier lifetimes are sufficiently high
3D simulations capture performance‑relevant effects that are missed in 2D models
These results provide a clearer explanation of how microstructural changes translate into device‑level performance.
Relevance for Ongoing CIGS Research
This work supports ongoing efforts to optimise thin‑film CIGS devices by linking material design directly to electrical behaviour. The methodology and insights presented are relevant for researchers developing ultra‑thin, high‑performance solar cells and for those seeking more realistic modelling approaches.
Open Access and Data Availability
In line with open science practices, the publication and all associated data are openly available on Zenodo, enabling reproducibility and further exploration by the research community.
🔗 Access the article and dataset:
https://zenodo.org/records/17453961