Role of heterogeneities in Staebler–Wronski effect

Abstract

The effect of light soaking (LS) on the properties of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) presents many challenging puzzles. We look at some of them, along with their present understanding. In particular, the role of the heterogeneities in LS is examined. We find that for most of the solved as well as unsolved puzzles, the long-range potential fluctuations arising from the heterogeneities in the films, afford an alternative view which looks quite plausible. The implications of such considerations are used to speculate on the possibility of making stable a-Si:H solar cells.