Abstract: Processes which utilize rapid thermal processing (RTP) are provided for inexpensively producing high efficiency silicon solar cells. The RTP processes preserve minority carrier bulk lifetime .tau. and permit selective adjustment of the depth of the diffused regions, including emitter and back surface field (bsf), within the silicon substrate. In a first RTP process, an RTP step is utilized to simultaneously diffuse phosphorus and aluminum into the front and back surfaces, respectively, of a silicon substrate. Moreover, an in situ controlled cooling procedure preserves the carrier bulk lifetime .tau. and permits selective adjustment of the depth of the diffused regions. In a second RTP process, both simultaneous diffusion of the phosphorus and aluminum as well as annealing of the front and back contacts are accomplished during the RTP step.

Abstract: The targets for cathodic sputtering according to this invention are formed of hot-pressed or hot isostatic-pressed indium oxide/tin oxide powder with a minimum density of 95% of the theoretical density and with a sub-stoichiometric oxygen content are known. In order to provide the improvement of high stability and, simultaneously, high sputtering rate, it is proposed according to the invention that the target have a crystalline phase which is formed as a solid solution of indium oxide and tin oxide with a minimum of 90% by weight, preferably a minimum of 97%, of the solid solution, and which has an average grain size ranging from 2 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m.

Abstract: A laminated solar cell module includes an integral mounting structure. The solar cell module includes a rigid front support layer formed of light transmitting material having first and second surfaces. A transparent encapsulant layer has a first surface disposed adjacent the second surface of the front support layer. A plurality of interconnected solar cells have a first surface disposed adjacent a second surface of the transparent encapsulant layer. The backskin is formed of a thermoplastic olefin, which includes first ionomer, a second ionomer, glass fiber and carbon black. A first surface of the backskin is disposed adjacent a second surface of the interconnected solar cells. At least one mounting bracket is bonded directly to a second surface of the backskin layer.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising a semiconductor layer, a current collecting electrode on said semiconductor layer, and a bus bar electrically connected to the current collecting electrode. The current collecting electrode comprises a metal wire. A part of the current collecting electrode is positioned between the bus bar and the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A high vacuum sputtering apparatus comprising a vacuum chamber in which a substrate to be processed and a small size sputtering target having an outer diameter less than one and a half times the diameter of the substrate and an area inclined toward the outer periphery thereof on the surface disposed opposite to the substrate are oppositely disposed, and the internal pressure of the vacuum chamber is maintained at less than 1.times.10.sup.-3 Torr for sputtering, thereby obtaining an improved distribution of film thickness and an enhanced coverage symmetry for sputtering.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic device and a method for making the thermophotovoltaic device. The device includes an n-type semiconductor material substrate having top and bottom surfaces, a tunnel junction formed on the top surface of the substrate, a region of active layers formed on top of the tunnel junction and a back surface reflector (BSR). The tunnel junction includes a layer of heavily doped n-type semiconductor material that is formed on the top surface of the substrate and a layer of heavily doped p-type semiconductor material formed on the n-type layer. An optional pseudomorphic layer can be formed between the n-type and p-type layers. A region of active layers is formed on top of the tunnel junction. This region includes a base layer of p-type semiconductor material and an emitter layer of n-type semiconductor material. An optional front surface window layer can be formed on top of the emitter layer.

Abstract: A sputter coating station has a pair of opposing sputter sources. At least one of the sources encompasses a clear opening through which a workpiece mounting arrangement holding a workpiece can move for positioning the workpiece through the opening. A process for sputter coating workpieces uses the sputter coating station and includes holding the workpiece by a workpiece holder through the opening and into the coating chamber, and coating the workpiece using the sputtering sources.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium by using an in-line sputtering apparatus to successively form, on a substrate, at least one underlying layer, a first magnetic CoPt-based film, a nonmagnetic intermediate film, and a second magnetic CoPt-based film. The underlying film and/or the nonmagnetic film, which are in contact with the first magnetic film, are deposited at a low sputtering power between 100 and 1000 watts to improve the magnetic properties of the magnetic recording medium. Low power sputtering is also effective to improve the distribution of difference of the crystal lattice spacings between the nonmagnetic intermediate film and the first magnetic film and between the underlying layer and the first magnetic film.

Abstract: A photovoltaic roofing assembly comprises a roofing membrane (102), a plurality of photovoltaic modules (104, 106, 108) disposed as a layer on top of the roofing membrane (102), and a plurality of pre-formed spacers, pedestals or supports (112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122) which are respectively disposed below the plurality of photovoltaic modules (104, 106, 108) and integral therewith, or fixed thereto. Spacers (112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122) are disposed on top of roofing membrane (102). Membrane (102) is supported on conventional roof framing, and attached thereto by conventional methods. In an alternative embodiment, the roofing assembly may have insulation block (322) below the spacers (314, 314', 315, 315'). The geometry of the preformed spacers (112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 314, 314', 315, 315') is such that wind tunnel testing has shown its maximum effectiveness in reducing net forces of wind uplift on the overall assembly.

Abstract: A high magnetic flux permanent magnet array apparatus and method for high productivity physical vapor deposition includes a magnetron array with a plurality of magnet assemblies disposed proximate to a target. Each assembly comprises a first portion magnetized perpendicularly to the target, a second portion magnetized perpendicularly to the target and opposite the first portion, and a third portion positioned intermediate the first and second portions, the third portion magnetized parallel to the target.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module which includes at least one photovoltaic cell which is encapsulated in a non-reacted, injection molded polymeric material, thereby forming an environmental seal around the cell. The photovoltaic cell(s) are incorporated into a photovoltaic panel having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, and also includes means for external electrical connection to the photovoltaic cell. The non-reacted injection molded polymeric material encapsulating the panel may form useful structures, such as shingles, blocks, cases, or boxes.

Abstract: A fabricating method of a Si thin film which has no grain boundaries, photo-absorption characteristics similar to those of monocrystalline Si, and a low electrical resistivity, is provided. When electron beams 14 are applied to a deposition material source 12 to deposit the Si thin film on a substrate 10, assist ions are applied from an assist ion source 18 in the direction normal to the surface of the substrate 10.

Abstract: A plate-like body structure for a sound insulation wall having a built-in solar battery constituted by the combination of a built-in solar battery structure having a gentle convex arcuate shape so as to be installed on the top end portion of a sound insulation wall in the form of a head piece, and a built-in solar battery structure having a built-in solar battery plate-like body held by transparent plate-like materials from its opposite sides and inserted into a window-like opening portion or a wall holding frame portion formed in the sound insulation wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sputter-depositing a layer of a material on a substrate, in which the layer is applied to the substrate by sequentially effecting a plurality of partial sputter-deposits thereon during a plurality of operational periods each including a sputter-deposit time interval followed by a non-deposit time interval of at least equal duration to the sputter-deposit time interval.

Abstract: A laminated solar cell module with a backskin layer that reduces the materials and labor required during the manufacturing process. The solar cell module includes a rigid front support layer formed of light transmitting material having first and second surfaces. A transparent encapsulant layer has a first surface disposed adjacent the second surface of the front support layer. A plurality of interconnected solar cells have a first surface disposed adjacent a second surface of the transparent encapsulant layer. The backskin layer is formed of a thermoplastic olefin, which includes first ionomer, a second ionomer, glass fiber, and carbon black. A first surface of the backskin layer is disposed adjacent a second surface of the interconnected solar cells. The transparent encapsulant layer and the backskin layer, in combination, encapsulate the interconnected solar cells.

Abstract: A solar cell includes an n type diffusion layer formed on a first main surface side of a p.sup.- type monocrystalline Si substrate, and a p.sup.+ type semiconductor layer formed on a second main surface side of substrate and having an energy bandgap narrower than that of Si and a dopant impurity concentration higher than that of substrate.

Abstract: A target assembly in which the sputtering material is not soldered or otherwise metallurgically bonded to a backing plate. Rather, the target, which is homogeneously manufactured of sputtering material, is mechanically coupled (e.g., with bolts) to an adapter, which is itself permanently affixed to the chamber. As a result, the target can be easily uncoupled from the chamber and replaced, without also requiring removal and replacement of a backing plate.

Abstract: A solar cell comprising:a first junction part having a first conductivity type first semiconductor film and a second conductivity type second semiconductor film formed on an upper surface of said first semiconductor film; anda second junction part having a first conductivity type third semiconductor film formed on an upper surface of said second semiconductor film and a second conductivity type fourth semiconductor formed on an upper surface of said third semiconductor film,said junction parts arranged from that having a larger forbidden band width along the direction of progress of light through said semiconductor layers,said first, second, third, and fourth semiconductor films being formed of single-crystalline filming;wherein an interlayer conductor prepared from a metal forming ohmic junctions with each of said junction parts and having a thickness capable of transmitting light therethrough is interposed between said first and second junction parts; andwherein said second semiconductor film arranged on on

Abstract: A linear body disposing method capable of extending a large number of wires above a work efficiently provides a plurality of collector wires on a substrate coated with a photosensitive film. The plurality of collector wires are held at a predetermined interval therebetween before one end of the substrate. The plurality of held collector wires are drawn to the other end of the substrate simultaneously. The other end of each of said drawn collector wires is fixed on the substrate. Subsequently, while the collector wires are held at the one end of the substrate, one end of each of the collector wires is fixed to the one end of the substrate. Thereafter, the collector wires are cut.

Abstract: In producing a thin film solar battery using a semiconductor film producing apparatus, a semiconductor film is formed on a substrate by glow discharge decomposition. The substrate is transported in a desired direction within a glow discharge space. A substrate heating unit heats the substrate at different temperatures along the desired direction in which the substrate is transported. Consequently, a plurality of semiconductor layers having different hydrogen concentrations are laminated at desired thicknesses with desired characteristics. A glow discharge generating unit generates high frequency power having different frequencies and/or different power outputs along the desired direction in which the substrate is transported.