CHUCKS FOR SUPPORTING SOLAR CELL IN HOT SPOT TESTING
First Claim
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1. A chuck to support a solar cell having a top surface and a bottom surface in hot spot testing, the chuck comprising:
- a base portion;
a support portion disposed above the base portion, the support portion to support the solar cell above the base portion and to define a space, between the bottom surface of the solar cell and the base portion, that thermally separates a portion of the bottom surface of the solar cell from the base portion, the portion of the bottom surface being thermally separated comprising between about 70% and about 90% of the bottom surface, the bottom surface having metal conductors, and the top surface being absent of any metal conductors; and
a bore through the base portion and the support portion, the bore to allow a probe to make contact with the metal conductors through the bore, the probe being to apply a negative bias voltage to the solar cell.
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Abstract
In an embodiment, a chuck to support a solar cell in hot spot testing is provided. This embodiment of the chuck comprises a base portion and a support portion disposed above the base portion. The support portion is configured to support the solar cell above the base portion and to define a space between a bottom surface of the solar cell and the base portion that thermally separates a portion of the bottom surface of the solar cell from the base portion.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A chuck to support a solar cell having a top surface and a bottom surface in hot spot testing, the chuck comprising:
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a base portion; a support portion disposed above the base portion, the support portion to support the solar cell above the base portion and to define a space, between the bottom surface of the solar cell and the base portion, that thermally separates a portion of the bottom surface of the solar cell from the base portion, the portion of the bottom surface being thermally separated comprising between about 70% and about 90% of the bottom surface, the bottom surface having metal conductors, and the top surface being absent of any metal conductors; and a bore through the base portion and the support portion, the bore to allow a probe to make contact with the metal conductors through the bore, the probe being to apply a negative bias voltage to the solar cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A hot spot testing apparatus, comprising:
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a thermal imaging camera to detect heat distribution over a top surface of a solar cell, the top surface being absent any metal conductors; a chuck disposed below the thermal imaging camera, the chuck comprising a base portion and a support portion to support the solar cell above the base portion and to define a space, between a bottom surface of the solar cell and the base portion, that thermally separates a portion of the bottom surface of the solar cell from the base portion, the bottom surface having the metal conductors, and the chuck further having a bore through at least the base portion; and a probe disposed below the chuck, the probe to make contact with the metal conductors through the bore and to apply a negative bias voltage to the solar cell. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A chuck to support a solar cell in hot spot testing, the chuck comprising:
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a base portion; and a support portion disposed above the base portion, the support portion to support the solar cell above the base portion and to define a space, between a bottom surface of the solar cell and the base portion, that thermally separates a portion of the bottom surface of the solar cell from the base portion. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of hot spot testing a solar cell having a top surface and a bottom surface, the method comprising:
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transporting the solar cell over a chuck, the chuck comprising; a base portion, a support portion disposed above the base portion, the support portion to support the solar cell above the base portion and to define a space, between the bottom surface of the solar cell and the base portion, that thermally separates a portion of the bottom surface of the solar cell from the base portion, the portion of the bottom surface being thermally separated comprising between about 70% and about 90% of the bottom surface, the bottom surface having metal conductors, and the top surface being absent of any metal conductors, a bore through the base portion and the support portion, a side portion, and a vacuum tunnel having openings at two ends, one of the openings being located within substantially a same region of the bore and another of the openings being located at the side portion; applying a vacuum suction through the vacuum tunnel to hold the solar cell in place; applying a negative bias voltage to the solar cell through the metal conductors; and detecting a heat distribution of the top surface upon application of the negative bias voltage.
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Specification