Methods for efficiently making thin semiconductor bodies from molten material for solar cells and the like
US8293009B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC30B29/06
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A pressure differential is applied across a mold sheet and a semiconductor (e.g. silicon) wafer (e.g. for solar cell) is formed thereon. Relaxation of the pressure differential allows release of the wafer. The mold sheet may be cooler than the melt. Heat is extracted almost exclusively through the thickness of the forming wafer. The liquid and solid interface is substantially parallel to the mold sheet. The temperature of the solidifying body is substantially uniform across its width, resulting in low stresses and dislocation density and higher crystallographic quality. The mold sheet must allow flow of gas through it. The melt can be introduced to the sheet by: full area contact with the top of a melt; traversing a partial area contact of melt with the mold sheet, whether horizontal or vertical, or in between; and by dipping the mold into a melt. The grain size can be controlled by many means.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.