Abstract: The invention relates to a process for continuous treatment of objects in a processing unit, where the objects are moved along a conveyor track passing through the processing unit by a first linear-action conveyor device performing a back-and-forward movement and where the objects are supplied to/removed from the conveyor track by a transfer device.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate carrier for current generating photoactive layers that include at least one front layer and one layer toward the substrate of different polarities, a front contact, at least one back contact and an integral protective diode which has a polarity opposite the solar cell integrated in and disposed on a front side of the solar cell and including at least one diode semiconductor layer. A tunnel diode extends between the photoactive layers and a region of the substrate toward the front, the tunnel diode being recessed adjacent the protective diode. The region of the substrate toward the front, or a layer toward the front applied to or formed by the front, together with a photoactive layer of corresponding polarity toward the front, make up the at least one diode semiconductor layer of the protective diode.

Abstract: A process and device for treating sheet objects, especially fragile sheet objects, by rotation through a liquid bath. The objects are disposed in radial slots in a rotating disk, retained therein by a flexible element moving synchronously with the disk, and by a retaining element mounted adjacent the disk and spaced therefrom along its axis of rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for heat treatment of two-dimensional objects such as semiconductor wafers, for example in the form of silicon wafers, where the objects are arranged on supports and are conveyed through a heating unit, in particular continuously. To achieve a targeted treatment of a two-dimensional object, in particular of a semiconductor component such as a silicon wafer, on one side only, while at the same time achieving a high throughput with incorporation as necessary into a continuous overall manufacturing process, it is proposed that the objects be arranged in full surface contact with the supports, which cover the objects completely or almost completely on their underside and which in turn comprise quartz glass in particular.

Abstract: A thin-film solar module consists of a number of solar cells tandem mounted and series-connected on a common substrate and a number of diodes disposed antiparallel and adjacent thereto. Overlap zones are formed by a projecting edge area of an electrode layer of a solar cell or diode engaging a recess of the corresponding electrode layer of the adjacent diode or solar cell. Each diode is connected in the reverse direction with the adjacent solar cell in at least two overlap zones, the front electrode layer of the diode with the back electrode layer of the solar cell in at least one of said overlap zones, and the back electrode layer of the diode with the front electrode layer of the solar cell in at least one other overlap zone. The photovoltaically active layer sequence is additionally separated by grooves in areas of the grooves of the back electrode layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing two-dimensional surface coating of objects includes a hollow cylinder open at opposite ends thereof, a plunger axially moveable therein and having at least one receptacle with a receiving opening of an axial extent through which the object can be inserted and removed, and a first conveying device for conveying objects to be coated. The hollow cylinder has at least one first area and a second area which can be sealed off from the plunger, the at least one first area being at an end of the hollow cylinder and having an axial extent greater than the axial extent of the receiving opening. The second area is sealed against atmospheric pressure relative to the plunger regardless of plunger position. The second area of the hollow cylinder is constructed and arranged for passing transversely therethrough by the conveying device when the receptacle is aligned therewith, for transfer of an object to or from a coating device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for power generation with solar cells (10 to 32). The solar cells are connected in series and in strings (34 to 44) each of several cells. A bypass diode (50 to 60) is connected in parallel to each string (34 to 44). Further diodes (64 to 70) are connected in parallel to two and/or more bypass diodes of series-connected strings. With this arrangement, the number of current-carrying diodes is considerably reduced when any strings are in shade.

Abstract: In a thin-film solar cell having at least a p-type layer, an intrinsic layer of amorphous silicon and an n-type layer (p-i-n structure), the intrinsic layer has on the interface with the p-type layer an intrinsic interlayer with lower hydrogen content and greater density than the remaining intrinsic layer. The intrinsic layer is deposited on the p-type layer thermocatalytically by the hot wire method, the temperature of the filament being adjusted for controlling the layer properties, and the temperature of the substrate being less than 300.degree. C. The hot wire method can be conducted with an evacuable chamber in which a tantalum wire subjected to at least one weight is mounted in a meander shape at a distance from the substrate holder.

Abstract: This solar module in integrated thin-film technology consists of a number of solar cells 11, 12, 13, 14 tandem mounted and series-connected on common substrate 1 and a number of diodes 21, 22, 23, 24 disposed parallel and adjacent thereto. Overlap zones 10, 20 are formed by a projecting edge area of electrode layer 2, 4 of a solar cell or diode engaging a recess in the corresponding electrode layer of the adjacent diode or solar cell. Each diode is connected in the reverse direction with the adjacent solar cell in at least two overlap zones, i.e. front electrode layer 2 of the diode with back electrode layer 4 of the solar cell in at least one of said overlap zones 10, and back electrode layer 4 of the diode with front electrode layer 2 of the solar cell in at least one other overlap zone 20.