A laser beam induced current (LBIC) system
has been used as a non-destructive
characterisation tool for photovoltaic (PV)
devices. It provides a detailed twodimensional
map of the current signal. Each
data point in the map is generated by the
laser beam scanning over the devices. The
signal strength depends on the response of
that particular area on which the laser beam
is incident, thereby reflecting the absorption
and collection characteristics of that local PV
area.
However, the magnitude of the measured
signal, induced by modulated laser, is very
small. Adjustment of set parameters,
measurement variables and environmental
influences may affect the measurement
result and thus could lead to
misinterpretation. The LBIC system at the
Centre for Renewable Energy Systems
Technology (CREST) is analysed for
reliability and optimised. It is evident that
with appropriate settings under controlled
environmental conditions, the system can
provide a highly repeatable measurement
result