Title: Solution deposition assembly

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for improved deposition systems. In one embodiment of the present invention, a deposition system is provided for use with a solution and a substrate. The system comprises of a solution deposition apparatus; at least one heating chamber, at least one assembly for holding a solution over the substrate; and a substrate curling apparatus for curling at least one edge of the substrate to define a zone capable of containing a volume of the solution over the substrate. In another embodiment of the present invention, a deposition system for use with a substrate, the system comprising a solution deposition apparatus; at heating chamber; and at least assembly for holding solution over the substrate to allow for a depth of at least about 0.5 microns to 10 mm.

Inventors:

Roussillon, Yann; Scholz, Jeremy H; Shelton, Addison; Green, Geoff T; Utthachoo, Piyaphant

Issue Date:

Tue Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 2014

Research Org.:

Nanosolar, Inc., San Jose, CA, USA

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1117858

Patent Number(s):

8631757

Application Number:

12/369,524

Assignee:

Nanosolar, Inc. (San Jose, CA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B65 - CONVEYING B65H - HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES

C - CHEMISTRY C23 - COATING METALLIC MATERIAL C23C - COATING METALLIC MATERIAL

Show more

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B65 - CONVEYING B65H - HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES

B65H20/00 - Advancing webs
B65H2301/51214 - parallel to direction of displacement of handled material

C - CHEMISTRY C23 - COATING METALLIC MATERIAL C23C - COATING METALLIC MATERIAL

C23C18/06 - Coating on selected surface areas, e.g. using masks
C23C18/1204 - {inorganic material, e.g. non-oxide and non-metallic such as sulfides, nitrides based compounds}
C23C18/1245 - {Inorganic substrates other than metallic}
C23C18/1275 - {performed under inert atmosphere}
C23C18/1279 - {performed under reactive atmosphere, e.g. oxidising or reducing atmospheres}
C23C18/1283 - {Control of temperature, e.g. gradual temperature increase, modulation of temperature}
C23C18/1291 - {by heating of the substrate}

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25D - PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS

C25D17/00 - Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells for electrolytic coating
C25D17/001 - {Apparatus specially adapted for plating wafers, e.g. semiconductors, solar cells}
C25D5/50 - by heat-treatment

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

H01L21/02551 - {Group 12/16 materials}
H01L21/02568 - {Chalcogenide semiconducting materials not being oxides, e.g. ternary compounds}
H01L21/02628 - {using solutions}
H01L31/03928 - {including AIBIIICVI compound, e.g. CIS, CIGS deposited on metal or polymer foils}
H01L31/0749 - including a AIBIIICVI compound, e.g. CdS/CulnSe2 [CIS] heterojunction solar cells
H01L31/1828 - {the active layers comprising only AIIBVI compounds, e.g. CdS, ZnS, CdTe}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/541 - CuInSe2 material PV cells
Y02E10/543 - Solar cells from Group II-VI materials

Show less

DOE Contract Number:  

FC36-07GO17047

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2009 Feb 11

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY