Abstract:
Methods for HPC techniques are applied to the processing of site-isolated regions (SIR) on a substrate to form at least a portion of a TFT device used in display applications. The processing may be applied to at least one of gate dielectric deposition, gate dielectric patterning, metal-based semiconductor deposition, metal-based patterning, etch stop deposition, etch stop patterning, source/drain deposition, or source/drain patterning. The SIRs may be defined during the deposition process with uniform deposition within each SIR or the SIRs may be defined subsequent to the deposition of layers wherein the layers are deposited with a gradient in one or more properties across the substrate.
Abstract:
Methods for HPC techniques are applied to the processing of site-isolated regions (SIR) on a substrate to form at least a portion of a TFT device used in display applications. The processing may be applied to at least one of gate dielectric deposition, gate dielectric patterning, metal-based semiconductor (e.g. ZnOx, ZnSnOx, ZnInOx, or ZnGaOx) deposition, metal-based semiconductor (e.g. ZnOx, ZnSnOx, ZnInOx, or ZnGaOx) patterning, etch stop deposition, etch stop patterning, source/drain deposition, or source/drain patterning. The SIRs may be defined during the deposition process with uniform deposition within each SIR or the SIRs may be defined subsequent to the deposition of layers wherein the layers are deposited with a gradient in one or more properties across the substrate.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for fabricating high efficiency CIGS solar cells including the deposition of a multi-component metal precursor film on a substrate. The substrate is then inserted into a system suitable for exposing the precursor to a chalcogen to form a chalcogenide TFPV absorber. One or more Na precursors are used to deposit a Na-containing layer on the precursor film in the system. This method eliminates the use of dedicated equipment and processes for introducing Na to the TFPV absorber.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating high efficiency CIGS solar cells including the deposition of Ga concentrations (Ga/(Ga+In)=0.25-0.66) from sputtering targets containing Ga concentrations between about 25 atomic % and about 66 atomic %. Further, the method includes a high temperature selenization process integrated with a high temperature anneal process that results in high efficiency.
Abstract:
Methods are used to develop and evaluate new processes for cleaning and texturing substrates and layers used in HJCS solar cells. In some embodiments, methods are used to develop and evaluate new processes for the deposition of resistive metal oxide interface layers that are formed between the TCO layers and the a-Si:H layers. The resistive metal oxide interface layers form good ohmic contact to the a-Si:H layers. In some embodiments, methods are used to develop and evaluate new processes for the deposition of amorphous TCO layers. The amorphous TCO layers allow improved control over the layer thickness and morphology. In some embodiments, methods are used to develop and evaluate new processes for the deposition of anti-reflection coating materials. The anti-reflection coating materials are selected to decrease the reflectivity of the solar cell and maintain the high conductivity of the TCO materials.
Abstract:
Methods of forming CZTS absorber layers in a TFPV device with a graded bandgap with or without a graded concentration are provided. In general, a Cu—Zn—Sn—(S, Se) precursor film is formed by sputtering. The Cu—Zn—Sn—(S, Se) precursor film can be formed as a single layer or as a multilayer stack. The composition may be uniform or graded throughout the thickness of the film. In some embodiments, the sputtering is performed in a reactive atmosphere including a chalcogen source (e.g. H2S, H2Se, etc.). The films, in conjunction with a subsequent selenization or anneal process, are converted to an absorber layer.
Abstract:
A method for forming copper indium gallium (sulfide) selenide (CIGS) solar cells, cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells, and copper zinc tin (sulfide) selenide (CZTS) solar cells using laser annealing techniques to anneal the absorber and/or the buffer layers. Laser annealing may result in better crystallinity, lower surface roughness, larger grain size, better compositional homogeneity, a decrease in recombination centers, and increased densification. Additionally, laser annealing may result in the formation of non-equilibrium phases with beneficial results.