Silicon solar cells on zone-melted silicon/graphite substrates

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.324157· OSTI ID:7219197

Chu, T L; Chu, S S; Duh, K Y; Mollenkopf, H C

Polycrystalline-silicon solar cells deposited on graphite substrates by conventional chemical vapor deposition techniques have low conversion efficiencies due to the carrier recombinations at grain boundaries. To reduce the concentration of grain boundaries, silicon layers deposited on graphite substrates have been zone melted to increase substantially the size of silicon crystallites. Using these silicon layers as substrates, solar cells have been deposited in a one-step process by the thermal reduction of trichlorosilane containing appropriate dopants, and AM1 efficiencies of higher than 5% have been obtained for cells of about 6-cm/sup 2/ area.

• Research Organization: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 75275
• OSTI ID: 7219197
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 48:8; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CARBON
CHEMICAL COATING
CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CRYSTALS
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
GRAIN BOUNDARIES
GRAPHITE
MELTING
MICROSTRUCTURE
NONMETALS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POLYCRYSTALS
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SUBSTRATES
SURFACE COATING
ZONE MELTING