Material Characterisation

The infinityPV Professional LBIC desktop system enables fast high resolution mapping of the photovoltaic response over large areas. Ultrafast laser beam induced current (LBIC) mapping is carried out with a laser spot having a diameter of 40 microns that is modulated over a testing area of 250 x 250 mm2 to create a map, with mapping time of only seconds. The practical resolution is < 100 micron and depends on the surface of the solar cell. The infinityPV approach to LBIC is inherently immune to noise and enables mapping of concave and convex PV surfaces which is ideal for flexible solar cells. The turn-key system is controlled using the included infinityPV software with auto calibration, active area calculation, color maps and simple scanning area selection for fast and easy imaging of any PV technology. With accessible wavelength range of 400-1100 nm this system is ideally suited for mapping of single junctions, tandem devices and modules (differences in junctions’ ideality may lead to differences in signal strength between different junctions in a module). The LBIC maps allow for easy identification of defects, coating errors, shunts and photovoltaically inactive regions. It is ideal for highlighting failure over time of solar cells and modules that have been subjected to accelerated ageing tests i.e. ingress of permeants and contact failure is easily identified.