Patent · US Active

Roll to roll evaporation tool for solar absorber precursor formation

US8771419B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
7References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 5, 2007
Grant dateJul 8, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 2, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An evaporation tool for forming a dopant structure on a front surface of a continuous workpiece, wherein the front surface includes a precursor layer to form Group IBIIIAVIA absorbers for solar cells and the dopant structure is used to introduce dopants into the precursor layer. The tool includes at least a first vapor source station to deposit a Group VIA material, such as Se, and a second vapor station to deposit a dopant material, such as Na, onto the continuous workpiece. A moving assembly of the tool holds and moves the continuous workpiece within the tool by feeding the continuous workpiece from a first end and taking up from a second end of the tool. A support assembly of the tool contacts a back surface of the continuous workpiece to remove the heat from and apply tension to the continuous workpiece during the process.

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