Spatial variations in the chemical composition of the (Zn,Mg)O/CuIn(S,Se)2 thin-film solar cell interface were studied by photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM). Energy filtered PEEM
images indicate significant differences in the magnesium and zinc distribution. Local photoemission measurements reveal a relative difference in the derived Mg/(ZnþMg) composition of the (Zn,Mg)O material of up to (11.460.7)%, which can be expected to induce band gap
fluctuations of (60630) meV. Furthermore, local areas with significant accumulations of sodium could be observed.
The μm-scale spatial distribution of the elements of polycrystalline Cu(In1− x Ga x )Se2 absorber surfaces is examined using x-ray photoelectron emission microscopy. The chemical composition varies from grain to grain, and a direct, linear anticorrelation between the In 3d and Ga 2p photoemission line intensities is observed. The line intensities are interpreted in terms of a varying value of x= Ga/(In+ Ga); the band gaps calculated from the inferred compositions of the grains are shown to be normally distributed with a standard deviation of 40 meV.