Abstract: Method of determining contaminants in a semiconductor processing apparatus in which a high purity, high carrier lifetime semiconductor test wafer is processed and the degradation of its carrier lifetime is determined.

Abstract: A method for processing solar cells, and particularly thin solar cells is disclosed. The method contemplates processing the front surface of the cell on a wafer of normal thickness. A transparent substrate is adhered to the front of the processed cell. The bulk semiconductor layer is then thinned to the desired thickness. An amorphous doped semiconductor material is applied to the back surface of the thinned wafer and exposed to pulsed laser energy having a duration and intensity long enough to melt the amorphous material, but short enough to prevent thermal damage to the bondline. A back surface dielectric, backside contact mask and back surface reflector metal complete the cell.

Abstract: A method for converting solar energy to electricity is provided using solid-liquid interface photoelectrochemical cells wherein the liquid phase comprises a nonaqueous solvent, an electrolyte dissolved therein forming an ionically conductive solution and a redox couple suitable to accept and donate electrons from and to the electrodes. The redox couple is present in an amount sufficient to sustain a predetermined current and the concentrations of the electrolyte and redox couple in the solution are sufficient to provide no greater than a selected small voltage drop relative to the output voltage of the cell. The efficiency of conversion of light to electrical energy of such photoelectrochemical cells is 10% and greater.

Abstract: An interconnected array of solar cell or photodiode devices is formed by a method which includes the steps of forming on one major surface of a semiconductor wafer a plurality of said devices, forming grooves in said one major surface extending partway into said substrate between adjacent said devices, forming an oxide layer on selected portions of said one major surface and on the surfaces of said grooves, filling the grooves with an insulating material, forming metal interconnects between adjacent devices extending over said grooves and insulating material, attaching said one major surface to an insulating support, and severing through the wafer into the grooves from the other major surface to separate adjacent devices while leaving the metal interconnects.

Abstract: A solar cell including a pulse annealed layer of crystalline, amorphous or polycrystalline semiconductor material of one conductivity type and either a layer of opposite conductivity type or a liquid electrolyte forming a collector junction therewith. A method of improving the characteristics of a solar cell including at least one layer of crystalline, amorphous or polycrystalline semiconductor material which includes the step of pulse annealing said semiconductor material.

Abstract: A solar cell comprising layers of n-type and p-type crystalline or substantially crystalline semiconductor material separated by a layer of amorphous semiconductor material having a larger coefficient of absorption than the outer p-type and n-type layers.

Abstract: Solid-liquid interface photoelectrochemical cells are provided wherein the liquid phase comprises a nonaqueous solvent, an electrolyte dissolved therein forming an ionically conductive solution and a redox couple suitable to accept and donate electrons from and to the electrodes. The redox couple is present in an amount sufficient to sustain a predetermined current and the concentrations of the electrolyte and redox couple in the solution are sufficient to provide no greater than a selected small voltage drop relative to the output voltage of the cell. The efficiency of conversion of light to electrical energy of such photoelectrochemical cells are 10% and greater.

Abstract: A solar cell having a solar absorbing layer of truly amorphous or microcrystalline semiconductor material or mixture thereof with means cooperating with said layer for collecting carriers generated by the solar energy. Said solar cell also including means for causing the solar energy to twice pass through the solar energy absorbing layer.