Effects of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition radio frequency on the properties of SiNx: H films

Hydrogenated silicon nitride (SiNx:H) films were fabricated using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at high (13.56 MHz), low (400 kHz), and dual (13.56 MHz+400 kHz) radio frequencies. The antireflection and passivation qualities of each film were investigated before their application as the front surface layer of crystalline silicon solar cells. The use of a high radio frequency was observed to have a positive effect on the cell performance, which increased by 0.4% in comparison with the minimum value obtained for a 156 mm x 156 mm cell.