Solar cells with silicon nanoparticles that are coated with nanoparticle passivation film
US9142696B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 2014 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/546
- WIPO fieldMicro-structural and nano-technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A laser contact process is employed to form contact holes to emitters of a solar cell. Doped silicon nanoparticles are formed over a substrate of the solar cell. The surface of individual or clusters of silicon nanoparticles is coated with a nanoparticle passivation film. Contact holes to emitters of the solar cell are formed by impinging a laser beam on the passivated silicon nanoparticles. For example, the laser contact process may be a laser ablation process. In that case, the emitters may be formed by diffusing dopants from the silicon nanoparticles prior to forming the contact holes to the emitters. As another example, the laser contact process may be a laser melting process whereby portions of the silicon nanoparticles are melted to form the emitters and contact holes to the emitters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.