Pulsed Laser Deposition of Halide Perovskites with over 10-Fold Enhanced Deposition Rates

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photovoltaics
• Thin Film Deposition

Background:

• Vapor-phase deposition of metal halide perovskites (MHPs) is crucial for solar cell technology.
• Achieving high deposition rates is key to scalable MHP solar cell manufacturing.
• Understanding growth dynamics at various rates is essential for optimizing performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of rapid vapor-phase deposition rates on MHP film formation.
• To monitor MHP growth dynamics using in situ photoluminescence (PL).
• To correlate deposition rates with film microstructure and charge transport properties.

Main Methods:

• Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) was used to deposit MHPs at rates from 6 to 80 nm/min.
• In situ photoluminescence (PL) monitored growth dynamics during deposition.
• Microstructural analysis and time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) assessed film properties.

Main Results:

• PL intensity evolution was consistent across low and high deposition rates.
• Increased deposition rates resulted in randomly oriented MHP films.
• Higher deposition rates led to reduced charge carrier mobility in the films.

Conclusions:

• Rapid deposition rates do not fundamentally alter MHP formation mechanisms via PLD.
• Controlling initial nucleation is critical for optimizing MHP films at high deposition rates.
• In situ PL monitoring is valuable for optimizing vapor-phase deposition of MHPs for solar cells.