Mustafa is a Research Associate in the Photovoltaic Materials Deposition group at CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology), one of the top photovoltaic research groups in the UK and Europe, focusing on ultra-sensitive Hall effect measurements for thin-film solar cell materials.
Mustafa assisted the development of the advanced Hall effect system working with Semilab Zrt. (Budapest). Unlike traditional systems that only measure DC, this new system is capable of measuring both AC and DC modes. It employs two rotating magnets with lock-in detection to provide precise and reliable measurements, a technique known as parallel dipole line (PDL) Hall effect measurement. The AC mode is especially valuable for materials with low mobility (<0.1 cm²/Vs) or very high/low resistance, as it enhances the Hall signal, providing more accurate results. This system can also measure ultra-low carrier concentrations as low as 10¹² cm-³, which traditional systems cannot detect. The technique was originally developed by Oki Gunawan at IBM. A key challenge in Hall effect measurements is achieving reliable electrical contacts, particularly for materials with very low carrier concentrations. Mustafa is focused on developing new methods and protocols to improve contact reliability and simplify fabrication for these materials.
In addition to his work on Hall effect measurements, Mustafa’s research interests include advanced electrical characterization of thin-film photovoltaic materials, specifically cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) based solar cells. He utilizes temperature-dependent electrical measurements and capacitance spectroscopy to investigate recombination mechanisms and defect levels in these devices.
Mustafa obtained his MEng in Electronics and Electrical Engineering in 2016, followed by a PhD in 2021 from Loughborough University, where he specialized in photovoltaics, solar cell materials, and electrical characterisation of thin-film solar cells.
- CdTe, CIGS and perovskite solar cells
- Capacitance spectroscopy
- PDL Hall effect measurements
- Temperature-dependent electrical measurements
- Designing and building vacuum systems