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Title: Development of pulsed processes for the manufacture of solar cells. [Ion implantation and annealing process]

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5720577· OSTI ID:5720577

This report describes the results of a 1-year program to develop the processes required for low-energy ion implantation for the automated production of silicon solar cells. The program included (1) demonstrating state-of-the-art ion implantation equipment and designing an automated ion implanter, (2) making efforts to improve the performance of ion-implanted solar cells to 16.5 percent AM1, (3) developing a model of the pulse annealing process used in solar cell production, and (4) preparing an economic analysis of the process costs of ion implantation. During the program, phosphorus ions at an energy of 10 keV and dose of 2 x 10/sup 15/ cm/sup -2/ were implanted in silicon solar cells to produce junctions, while boron ions at 25 keV and 5 x 10/sup 15/ cm/sup -2/ were implanted in the cells to produce effective back surface fields. An ion implantation facility with a beam current up to 4 mA and a production throughput of 300 wafers per hour was designed and installed. A design was prepared for a 100-mA, automated implanter with a production capacity of 100 MW/sub e/ per year. A Solar Array Manufacturing Industry Costing Standards (SAMICS) economic analysis of the automated process steps of ion implantation and pulse annealing indicated that junctions can be formed and annealed at a cost of less than 3 cents per watt. The efforts during this program represent a major advancement in developing the automated production of silicon solar cells with efficiencies greater than 16 percent AM1.

Research Organization:
Spire Corp., Bedford, MA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
NAS-7-100-954786
OSTI ID:
5720577
Report Number(s):
DOE/JPL/954786-6A
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English