Abstract: A method is disclosed for passivating and contacting a surface of a germanium substrate. A passivation layer of amorphous silicon material is formed on the germanium surface. A contact layer of metal, e.g., aluminum, is then formed on the passivation layer. The structure is heated so that the germanium surface makes contact with the contact layer. The aluminum contact layer can be configured for use as a mirroring surface for the back surface of the device. Thus, a passivated germanium surface is disclosed, as well as a solar cell comprising such a structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an impurity measuring method comprising the steps of dropping a drop of a first solution on the surface of a substrate to be measured, moving the drop dropped on the surface of the substrate so that the drop is kept in contact with the surface and collects an impurity absorbed on the surface, recovering the drop after the movement and analyzing the recovered drop by chemical analysis to determine the type and concentration of the impurity, characterized in that the first solution is phobic to the substrate and the substrate consists substantially of Ge. The method is of particular importance for measuring metallic contamination on the surface of Ge substrates.