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Method and system for large scale manufacture of thin film photovoltaic devices using single-chamber configuration

  • US 8,512,528 B2
  • Filed: 04/25/2012
  • Issued: 08/20/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2007
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for manufacture of thin film photovoltaic cells in a system with single-chamber configuration having multiple compartments therein, the method comprising:

  • providing a substrate into a first compartment within a chamber, the substrate being optically transparent and being characterized by a lateral dimension of about 1 meter or greater for manufacture a thin film photovoltaic cell;

    forming an electrode layer overlying the substrate;

    transferring the substrate within the chamber to a second compartment to subject the electrode layer to a copper bearing sputtering target;

    forming a copper-bearing layer overlying the electrode layer;

    transferring the substrate within the chamber to a third compartment to subject the copper-bearing layer to an indium sputtering target;

    forming an indium layer overlying the copper-bearing layer, thereby forming a Cu-rich Cu—

    In composite film having a Cu;

    In atomic ratio of 1.2;

    1 and greater;

    transferring the substrate to a fourth compartment within the chamber, the compartment comprising a plurality of nozzles for supplying gas phase sulfur-bearing species and one or more heaters for supplying thermal energy; and

    performing a thermal treatment process to form a photovoltaic absorber layer by reacting the Cu-rich Cu—

    In composite film with the sulfur-bearing species.

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