Patent · US Active

Use of chained implants in solar cells

US7727866B2 · kind B2 · utility

39Cited by
10References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 4, 2009
Grant dateJun 1, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 4, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The manufacture of solar cells is simplified and cost reduced through by performing successive ion implants, without an intervening thermal cycle. In addition to reducing process time, the use of chained ion implantations may also improve the performance of the solar cell. In another embodiment, two different species are successively implanted without breaking vacuum. In another embodiment, the substrate is implanted, then flipped such that it can be and implanted on both sides before being annealed. In yet another embodiment, one or more different masks are applied and successive implantations are performed without breaking the vacuum condition, thereby reducing the process time.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.