Title: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing monocrystalline cast silicon and monocrystalline cast silicon bodies for photovoltaics

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With such methods and apparatuses, a cast body of monocrystalline silicon may be formed that is free of, or substantially free of, radially-distributed impurities and defects and having at least two dimensions that are each at least about 35 cm is provided.

Inventors:

Stoddard, Nathan G ^[1]

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1. Gettysburg, PA

Issue Date:

Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2011

Research Org.:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1033936

Patent Number(s):

8048221

Application Number:

11/624,365

Assignee:

Stoddard, Nathan G. (Gettysburg, PA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C30 - CRYSTAL GROWTH C30B - SINGLE-CRYSTAL-GROWTH

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

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C - CHEMISTRY C30 - CRYSTAL GROWTH C30B - SINGLE-CRYSTAL-GROWTH

C30B11/00 - Single-crystal growth by normal freezing or freezing under temperature gradient, e.g. Bridgman-Stockbarger method
C30B11/003 - {Heating or cooling of the melt or the crystallised material}
C30B11/14 - characterised by the seed, e.g. its crystallographic orientation
C30B28/06 - by normal freezing or freezing under temperature gradient
C30B29/06 - Silicon

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

H01L31/02168 - {the coatings being antireflective or having enhancing optical properties for the solar cells}
H01L31/02363 - {of the semiconductor body itself, e.g. textured active layers}
H01L31/03685 - {including microcrystalline silicon, uc-Si}
H01L31/1804 - {comprising only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System}
H01L31/182 - {Special manufacturing methods for polycrystalline Si, e.g. Si ribbon, poly Si ingots, thin films of polycrystalline Si}

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

Y02E10/545 - Microcrystalline silicon PV cells
Y02E10/546 - Polycrystalline silicon PV cells
Y02E10/547 - Monocrystalline silicon PV cells
Y02E10/548 - Amorphous silicon PV cells

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02P - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

Y02P70/50 - Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10S - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

Y10S117/917 - Magnetic

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

Y10T117/1092 - Shape defined by a solid member other than seed or product [e.g., Bridgman-Stockbarger]

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC36-98GO10337

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

14 SOLAR ENERGY