High speed laser crystallization of particles of photovoltaic solar cells

a technology of photovoltaic solar cells and laser crystallization, which is applied in the direction of manufacturing tools, sustainable manufacturing/processing, and final product manufacturing, etc., can solve the problems of non-selective heating, degrade the conversion efficiency of photons and electrons, and traditional crystallization techniques used in the photovoltaic (pv) industry, etc., to achieve rapid processing, enhance the conversion efficiency of thin film photovoltaics, and reduce the cost

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-04-18
PURDUE RES FOUND INC
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Benefits of technology

[0004]A low cost and rapid processing method is disclosed for enhancing the conversion efficiency of thin film photovoltaics (PVs) via high speed laser crystallization (HSLC). The disclosed HSLC method provides a low cost and rapid technique for forming large crystals for thin film solar cells. The disclosed laser induced rapid heating/cooling procedure, which selectively processes desired materials without damaging other portions of the part, helps

Problems solved by technology

Defects such as grain boundary and point defects in current thin film photovoltaics (PVs) degrade the photon-electron conversion efficiency and transportation of electrons.
Traditional crystallization techniques used in the photovoltaic (PV) industry, such as R

Method used

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  • High speed laser crystallization of particles of photovoltaic solar cells
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  • High speed laser crystallization of particles of photovoltaic solar cells

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Embodiment Construction

[0020]For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments described herein and illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and methods, and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates.

[0021]The high speed laser crystallization (HSLC) method uses a pulsed laser to crystallize thin films under a transparent confinement layer. This can provide several benefits over traditional methods, some of these benefits can include: 1) selectivity: the wavelength of the laser can be tuned to just heat the desired materials and not affe...

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Abstract

A system and method for enhancing the conversion efficiency of thin film photovoltaics. The thin film structure includes a photovoltaic absorbent layer covered by a confinement layer. A laser beam passes through the confinement layer and hits the photovoltaic absorbent layer. The laser can be pulsed to create localized rapid heating and cooling of the photovoltaic absorbent layer. The confinement layer confines the laser induced plasma plume creating a localized high-pressure condition for the photovoltaic absorbent layer. The laser beam can be scanned across specific regions of the thin film structure. The laser beam can be pulsed as a series of short pulses. The photovoltaic absorbent layer can be made of various materials including copper indium diselenide, gallium arsenide, and cadmium telluride. The photovoltaic absorbent layer can be sandwiched between a substrate and the confinement layer, and a molybdenum layer can be between the substrate and the photovoltaic absorbent layer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a division patent application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 113,386, filed May 23, 2011.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to material processing methods via high speed laser crystallization, and more particularly to methods for enhancing the conversion efficiency of thin film photovoltaics by increasing crystal size and decreasing the defects of the light absorbent layer.[0003]The conversion efficiency of thin film solar cells depends on the crystallinity of the light absorbent layer (e.g., cadmium telluride (CdTE), copper indium selenide (CIS) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)). Defects such as grain boundary and point defects in current thin film photovoltaics (PVs) degrade the photon-electron conversion efficiency and transportation of electrons. Traditional crystallization techniques used in the photovoltaic (PV) industry, such as Rapid Thermal Annealing (RTA) ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B23K26/00
CPCH01L31/0322H01L31/1872B23K26/0066H01L31/03923Y02E10/544H01L31/1836H01L31/1852Y02E10/541H01L31/03925Y02P70/50B23K26/352
Inventor CHENG, GARY J.ZHANG, MARTIN YIYANG, YINGLING
Owner PURDUE RES FOUND INC
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