Abstract:
Improved methods of annealing a workpiece are disclosed. Lasers are used to both increase the temperature of the workpiece, and to laser melt anneal the workpiece. By utilizing lasers for both operations, the manufacturing complexity is reduced. Furthermore, laser melt anneal may provide better junctions and more well defined junction depths. By heating the workpiece either immediately before or after the laser melt anneal, the quality of the junction may be Improved. Shallow annealing may be accomplished and annealing may occur in the presence of a species to form a passivation layer, !f the workpiece is a solar cell, in-situ heating may improve open circuit voltage (V oc ) or dark currents. Insitu heating of the substrate lowers the melting threshold of the substrate and also increases light absorption in the substrate. This reduces the power of the melt laser and hence reduces the residual damage.
Abstract:
Methods to form complementary implant regions in a workpiece are disclosed. A mask may be aligned with respect to implanted or doped regions on the workpiece. The mask also may be aligned with respect to surface modifications on the workpiece, such as deposits or etched regions. A masking material also may be deposited on the implanted regions using the mask. The workpiece may be a solar cell.
Abstract:
Methods of counterdoping a solar cell, particularly an IBC solar cell are disclosed. One surface of a solar cell may require portions to be n-doped, while other portions are p- doped. Traditionally, a plurality of lithography and doping steps are required to achieve this desired configuration. In contrast, one lithography step can be eliminated by the use of a blanket doping of one conductivity and a mask patterned counterdoping process of the opposite conductivity. The areas dosed during the masked patterned doping receive a sufficient dose so as to completely reverse the effect of the blanket doping and achieve a conductivity that is opposite the blanket doping. In another embodiment, the counterdoping is performed by means of a direct patterning technique, thereby eliminating the remaining lithography step. Various methods of direct counterdoping processes are disclosed.
Abstract:
Tool includes a fixed handle and a movable, lockable handle. A working end of the tool includes an upper jaw and a movable lower jaw. A passage may be provided in one or both of upper and lower jaws. A sealing device may be provided in the upper jaw, the sealing device being disposed adjacent to the passage. Lower jaw may likewise include a passage therein. In use, an elongated object such as a tube may be inserted into the passage in the lower jaw and then into the passage in the upper jaw adjacent the sealing device. When the lower jaw is engaged with the upper jaw, the lower jaw compresses the sealing device and sealingly engages the sealing device, the passage, and the tube disposed therein. In that manner, a seal is achieved. In the case where an opening having a coupling is fluidly connected to the upper jaw, a sealed, fluid connection may be established between the coupling on the upper jaw and the tube engaged by the seal.
Abstract:
A dental floss device (1, 40, 50, 60, 70) comprises a handle (2) having a shank (3) terminating in a head piece (4). A disposable dental floss holder (5) comprises a base portion (10) and a pair of spaced-apart jaws (11, 12) with a length of dental floss (13) extending therebetween. The head piece (4) has a groove (20) in which the base portion (10) is securely retained when the device is used in all flossing directions. Snap-fit projections (15) extend inwardly from the jaws (11, 12) of the floss holder (5) and are retained behing marginal edges (25) of a floor (24) of the groove (20). When used, the floss holder (5) is removed and a new floss holder (5) is fitted.
Abstract:
A method of using ion implantation techniques to create graphene is disclosed. Carbon ions are implanted in a substrate, such as a metal foil, using a plasma doping system or a beam line implanter. The implant is performed at an elevated temperature, to allow a large number of carbon ions to be absorbed by the foil. As the temperature is reduced, the excessive number of carbon atoms causes the foil to be saturated, and the carbon atoms diffuse to the surface, thereby producing graphene. In another embodiment, a plasma doping system is used, where a plasma containing carbon and other species is created. These additional species are also implanted, thereby causing the diffused atoms to contain both carbon and the additional species.
Abstract:
Methods of counterdoping a solar cell, particularly an IBC solar cell are disclosed. One surface of a solar cell may require portions to be n-doped, while other portions are p- doped. Traditionally, a plurality of lithography and doping steps are required to achieve this desired configuration. In contrast, one lithography step can be eliminated by the use of a blanket doping of one conductivity and a mask patterned counterdoping process of the opposite conductivity. The areas dosed during the masked patterned doping receive a sufficient dose so as to completely reverse the effect of the blanket doping and achieve a conductivity that is opposite the blanket doping. In another embodiment, the counterdoping is performed by means of a direct patterning technique, thereby eliminating the remaining lithography step. Various methods of direct counterdoping processes are disclosed.
Abstract:
Fluid transfer device may be configured as a vacuum pump suited for nondestructive transfer of fluids and for assisting in the pumping of blood through a heart for reducing the load on the heart. By use of a vacuum, the fluid transfer device may be operated at no more than atmospheric pressure. In addition, a pre-charged pressure tank may be used dependent on the application requirements.
Abstract:
An inspection tool embodiment includes an illumination source for directing a light beam onto a workpiece to generate scattered light that includes the ordinary scattering pattern of the workpiece as well as light scattered from defects of the workpiece. The embodiment includes a programmable light selection array that receives light scattered from the workpiece and selectively directs the light scattered from defects onto a photosensor which detects the defect signal. Processing circuitry receives the defect signal and conducts surface analysis of the workpiece that can include the characterizing of defects of the workpiece. The programmable light selection arrays can include, but are not limited to, reflector arrays and filter arrays. The invention also includes associated surface inspection methods.
Abstract:
Methods to form complementary implant regions in a workpiece are disclosed. A mask may be aligned with respect to implanted or doped regions on the workpiece. The mask also may be aligned with respect to surface modifications on the workpiece, such as deposits or etched regions. A masking material also may be deposited on the implanted regions using the mask. The workpiece may be a solar cell.