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US 12,119,418 B2Granted
Method of processing inconsistencies in solar cell devices and devices formed thereby
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorEric Rehder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to a method of processing a solar cell device. The method comprises detecting at least one inconsistency at a surface of a semiconductor substrate having a solar cell active region formed therein. A deposition pattern is determined based on the location of the at least one inconsistency. A material is selectively deposited on the substrate according to the deposition pattern.
Claims20
A method of processing a solar cell device, the method comprising:
- detecting at least one inconsistency at a surface of a semiconductor substrate having a solar cell active region formed therein;
- determining a deposition pattern based on a location of the at least one inconsistency;
- and
- selectively depositing a material on the substrate according to the deposition pattern,
- wherein selectively depositing the material comprises selectively depositing a patterned mask configured to cover the at least one inconsistency, the patterned mask causing a subsequently deposited conductive line to be positioned proximate to, but not over, the at least one inconsistency, the conductive line forming a portion of a front wiring on the solar cell device,
- wherein the conductive line comprises a major conductive portion and a minor conductive portion that deviates from the major conductive portion, the major conductive portion comprising a first part on a first side of the at least one inconsistency and a second part on a second side of the at least one inconsistency that is opposite the first side, the minor conductive portion electrically connecting the first part and the second part, and
- wherein the material comprises a polymer.
4 more elements
A method of processing a solar cell device, the method comprising:
- detecting at least one inconsistency at a surface of a semiconductor substrate having a solar cell active region formed therein;
- determining a deposition pattern based on a location of the at least one inconsistency, wherein determining the deposition pattern comprises:
- providing an initial wiring scheme for the solar cell device;
- determining that implementing a portion of the initial wiring scheme will result in a conductive line that overlays the inconsistency;
- and
- determining a modified wiring scheme that avoids the at least one inconsistency;
- and
- selectively depositing a material on the substrate according to the deposition pattern,
- wherein selectively depositing the material comprises selectively depositing a patterned mask configured to cover the at least one inconsistency, the patterned mask causing a subsequently deposited conductive line to be positioned proximate to, but not over, the at least one inconsistency, the conductive line forming a portion of a front wiring on the solar cell device,
- wherein the conductive line comprises a major conductive portion and a minor conductive portion that deviates from the major conductive portion, the major conductive portion comprising a first part on a first side of the at least one inconsistency and a second part on a second side of the at least one inconsistency that is opposite the first side, the minor conductive portion electrically connecting the first part and the second part, and
- wherein the material comprises a polymer.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.