Transparent Flexible CIGS Solar Cell With Laser-Formed See-Through Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CIGS solar cells face challenges in achieving both transparency and flexibility due to the inherent opacity of the CIGS material and process limitations, particularly when using polyimide substrates, which deteriorate at deposition temperatures and lack transparency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the sequential stacking of a rear transparent electrode, CIGS light-absorbing layer, and front transparent electrode on a transparent polymer film, followed by laser irradiation to create a light-transmitting region and separate the carrier substrate, utilizing long- and short-wavelength lasers to control the interface between the polymer film and the carrier substrate and the transparent polymer film, thereby exposing the rear transparent electrode, and a transparent encapsulation layer to protect the transparent polymer film, thereby forming a light-transmitting region (T) and separating the carrier substrate and the transparent polymer film, ensuring the polymer film, thereby forming a light-transmitting region (T) and separating the carrier substrate and the transparent polymer film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If CIGS solar cells use a glass substrate to secure transparency, then transparency is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the substrate function by introducing a flexible polymer substrate (polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate) that can be detached from the glass carrier substrate. This allows the CIGS solar cell to be separated into a flexible component (polymer substrate with CIGS layer) and a transparent glass carrier, enabling the cell to achieve both flexibility and transparency through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a transparent polymer film as an intermediary layer between the flexible polymer substrate and the glass carrier substrate. This intermediary film serves dual purposes: it maintains flexibility while providing transparency, and it acts as a buffer during the separation process to protect the CIGS light-absorbing layer from damage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If polyimide substrate is used to achieve flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but transparency deteriorates due to deposition temperature limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a transparent polymer film to the polyimide substrate before depositing the CIGS light-absorbing layer. This preliminary action creates a protective transparent layer that prevents the polyimide substrate from deteriorating during high-temperature deposition while maintaining flexibility and transparency properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining polyimide substrate, transparent polymer film, and CIGS light-absorbing layer. This composite material approach allows the system to achieve both flexibility (from polyimide) and transparency (from transparent polymer film and CIGS layer), resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
3Power
If CIGS light-absorbing layer is deposited on flexible substrate, then photoelectric conversion efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to process temperature conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent polymer film as an intermediary layer between the flexible polyimide substrate and the CIGS light-absorbing layer. This intermediary film serves as a buffer that protects the CIGS layer from direct contact with the substrate during high-temperature deposition, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining photoelectric conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the transparent polymer film to the polyimide substrate before CIGS deposition. This preliminary action creates a protective barrier that enables easier manufacturing by preventing direct interaction between the CIGS layer and the flexible substrate during high-temperature processing, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method secures both transparency and flexibility in CIGS solar cells by simplifying the manufacturing process, suppressing bending and thermal expansion, and enhancing bonding forces, while minimizing cracking and peeling.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating a long-wavelength laser to an interface between the rear transparent electrode and the CIGS light-absorbing layer in some areas to remove the CIGS light-absorbing layer and the front transparent electrode
Implementation Method 2
irradiating a short-wavelength laser to an interface between the carrier substrate and the transparent polymer film to separate the carrier substrate and the transparent polymer film from each other
Implementation Method 3
CIGS solar cells that use Cu(In1-xGax)(Se1-ySy)-based compounds as light-absorbing layers
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a CIGS solar cell having both transparency and flexibility and a method of manufacturing the same. The method of manufacturing a CIGS solar cell having both transparency and flexibility according to the present invention is characterized by including the steps of: preparing a carrier substrate on which a transparent polymer film is stacked; sequentially stacking a rear transparent electrode, a CIGS light-absorbing layer, and a front transparent electrode on the transparent polymer film; irradiating a long-wavelength laser to an interface between the rear transparent electrode and the CIGS light-absorbing layer in some areas to remove the CIGS light-absorbing layer and the front transparent electrode, thereby forming a light-transmitting region that exposes the rear transparent electrode; and irradiating a short-wavelength laser to an interface between the carrier substrate and the transparent polymer film to separate the carrier substrate and the transparent polymer film from each other.