Systems and methods for charging solar cell layers
US8338211B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods of the present invention can be used to charge a charge-holding layer (such as a passivation layer and/or antireflective layer) of a solar cell with a positive or negative charge as desired. The charge-holding layer(s) of such a cell can include any suitable dielectric material capable of holding either a negative or a positive charge, and can be charged at any suitable point during manufacture of the cell, including during or after deposition of the passivation layer(s). A method according to one aspect of the invention includes disposing a solar cell in electrical communication with an electrode inside a chamber. The solar cell includes an emitter, a base, a first passivation layer adjacent the emitter, and a second passivation layer adjacent the base. Gas is injected into the chamber and a plasma (with photons having an energy level of at least about 3.1 eV) is generated using the gas. One or more of the first passivation layer and the second passivation layer is charged to a predetermined polarity, wherein the charging includes applying a direct current voltage pulse to the electrode for a predetermined period of time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.