Morphology and topography of perovskite solar cell films ablated and scribed with short and ultrashort laser pulses

Abstract The unique properties of halide perovskites are suitable for low-cost high-efficiency photovoltaic applications. For commercialization of this technology, it is pivotal to upscale towards solar modules. Monolithic interconnection of solar cells is a necessary step for realization of thin-film solar modules and the laser scribing of the constituent layers with well-defined profiles of high accuracy is a promising approach for high speed processing. Here the laser ablation and scribing of methylammonium lead iodide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3: MAPbI3) layers are investigated. Nanosecond (ns) and picosecond (ps) laser pulses were used to ablate and scribe MAPbI3 films on FTO/glass by irradiation from the film- and the glass-side. Depending on the irradiation configuration laser ablation or lift-off delamination was determined to be the dominating mechanism of thin-film removal. Various surface modifications such as film smoothening and decomposition of the MAPbI3 have been observed, especially when nanosecond laser pulses are used. The complete removal of the MAPbI3, film without damaging the FTO/substrate, has been achieved for all studied laser sources.