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Wafer/ribbon crystal method and apparatus

A ribbon and crystal technology, applied in the grain boundary field of the wafer, can solve the problem of reducing the electrical efficiency of the wafer

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-03-31
EVERGREEN SOLAR
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, this practice further reduces the overall electrical efficiency of the wafer

Method used

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  • Wafer/ribbon crystal method and apparatus
  • Wafer/ribbon crystal method and apparatus
  • Wafer/ribbon crystal method and apparatus

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Embodiment Construction

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the wafer fabrication method removes the edges of the wire ribbon crystals, or removes the edges of wafers cut from the wire ribbon crystals, to substantially alleviate the aforementioned problems. Specifically, the method may also generally planarize the crystal / wafer edge and remove at least some of the smaller grains that act as electron traps, among other things. Thus, the resulting wafers 1) have improved electronic properties, 2) can be placed closer to adjacent wafers, and 3) maximize the area for back surface contact. Also, removal of the smaller grains should improve the aesthetic appearance to some observers. Details of exemplary embodiments are discussed below.

[0022] figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of a silicon ribbon crystal growth furnace 10 in which an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be practiced is schematically shown. The furnace 10 has, inter alia, a housing 12 forming a substantially oxygen-fr...

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Abstract

A method of processing a ribbon crystal provides a string ribbon crystal, and removes at least one edge of the string ribbon crystal.

Description

[0001] priority [0002] This patent application claims provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 952,435, filed July 27, 2007, entitled "WAFER / RIBBON CRYSTAL METHOD AND APPARATUS" with Andrew Gabor as the inventor priority, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. technical field [0003] The present invention relates generally to ribbon crystals, and more particularly, the present invention relates to grain boundaries of wafers formed from ribbon crystals. Background technique [0004] String ribbon crystals such as those discussed in US Patent No. 4,689,109 (issued 1987 and sole inventor Emanuel M. Sachs) can form the basis of various electronic devices. For example, Evergreen Solar Corporation of Marlborough, Massachusetts, utilizes conventional ribbon crystals to form solar cells. [0005] As discussed in more detail in said patent, the conventional process forms wire ribbon crystals by passing two or more wires through molten silicon. Due to the ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): C30B15/00C30B29/06
CPCC30B15/007C30B29/06
Inventor 安德鲁·加博尔
Owner EVERGREEN SOLAR