General information
Organisation
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.
Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.
The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
Reference
SL-DES-26-0441
Thesis topic details
Category
Technological challenges
Thesis topics
Study of the Metastability of Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells and Stabilization Strategies
Contract
Thèse
Job description
Silicon-based photovoltaic cells, particularly silicon heterojunction (SHJ) cells using hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), achieve efficiencies exceeding 25%. However, these architectures exhibit intrinsic metastability, such as Staebler-Wronski degradation, which can lead to efficiency losses during storage between fabrication and module assembly. In the context of globalized supply chains, these instabilities represent an economic and technical risk that is not yet well quantified. This thesis aims to address the following questions: what is the quantitative impact of instability on the efficiency of high-efficiency cells during prolonged storage? What are the physical mechanisms responsible for this degradation? What technological strategies can reduce or eliminate this instability? What are the industrial implications for module logistics? To achieve this, a rigorous experimental protocol will be implemented to monitor the electrical performance of cells over several months under varying storage conditions (atmosphere, temperature, humidity). Test structures and advanced characterizations (FTIR, Raman, Silvaco TCAD) will be used to understand the underlying physical phenomena. Process optimization, introduction of new materials, and improved packaging will be explored to stabilize the cells. Practical recommendations for the industry, regarding maximum storage durations and optimal storage conditions, will also be established. The goal is to develop technological and logistical solutions to minimize efficiency losses in SHJ cells, optimize supply chains, and reduce associated economic risks.
University / doctoral school
Sciences, Ingénierie, Santé (EDSIS)
Saint-Etienne
Thesis topic location
Site
Grenoble
Requester
Position start date
01/10/2026
Person to be contacted by the applicant
VARACHE Renaud
renaud.varache@cea.fr
CEA
DES/DTS//LPH
50 avenue du lac léman, 73375 Le Bourget-du-lac
04 79 79 28 73
Tutor / Responsible thesis director
Darnon Maxime
Université Saint-Etienne - CNRS
UMR Laboratoir Hubert Curien
Laboratoire Hubert Curien, UMR CNRS 5516,
Bâtiment F 18 Rue du Professeur Benoît Lauras
42000 Saint-Etienne
FRANCE
04 77 91 57 97
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