First principles calculation of the electronic-optical properties of Cu₂MgSn(S_xSe_1−x)₄

Abstract

Based on the density functional theory with hybrid functional approach, we calculated the structural, electronic, and the optical properties of Cu₂MgSn(S_1-xSe_x)₄ (CMTSSe), an potential photovoltaic material for thin film solar cells. The calculation reveals a phase transition from kesterite to stannite structure when Zn atoms are substituted by Mg atoms. In particular, the S-to-Se ratio can determine the energy splitting between the electronic states at the top of the valence band. The band gaps of CMTSSe can be tuned in the ranges of 1.01-1.58 eV. Calculated optical properties and tunable band gaps make them beneficial for achieving band-gap-graded solar cells.

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