Method and apparatus for laser-processing a semiconductor photovoltaic apparatus
OwnerJames E. Carey, Martin U. Pralleinventors
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Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to a method for automated manufacturing thin film solar cells including a laser processed layer. The method includes depositing a plurality of substantially planar layers in proximity with one another, including at least a first semiconductor layer, feeding the plurality of layers through a plurality of processing steps, irradiating at least a portion of a layer of the plurality of layers with a source of laser radiation, and using a control computer to control at least one of the acts of feeding and irradiating in the automated manufacture of the thin film solar cells.
Claims36
An article of manufacture arranged and manufactured to comprise:
- a substrate layer;
- a thin film solar cell disposed on the substrate layer, said thin film solar cell comprising a laser-treated portion, the laser treated-portion being formed by application of laser radiation in an automated process.
A method for automated manufacturing of thin film solar cells including a laser processed layer, the method comprising:
- depositing a plurality of substantially planar layers in proximity with one another, including at least a first semiconductor layer;
- feeding said plurality of layers through a plurality of processing steps;
- irradiating at least a portion of a layer of said plurality of layers with a source of laser radiation;
- and
- using a control computer to control at least one of said acts of feeding and irradiating in said automated manufacture of said thin film solar cells.
An article of manufacture arranged and manufactured to comprise:
- a substrate layer;
- and
- a thin film solar cell disposed on the substrate layer, said thin film solar cell comprising a laser-treated portion, the laser treated-portion being formed by application of laser radiation, wherein the thin film solar cell comprises a solar cell with quantum efficiency greater than 80% for light wavelengths longer than 900 nanometers and the thin film solar cell has a material thickness less than 20 microns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.