Abstract: The invention relates to methods and an apparatus for passivating defects of a semiconductor substrate, in particular a silicon based solar cell. According to the method, the substrate is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation during a first process phase, wherein the radiation directed onto the substrate has wavelengths at least in the region below 1200 nm and an intensity of at least 8000 Watt/m2. This can lead to a heating of the substrate, or a temperature control can be provided. Subsequently, the substrate is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation during a temperature-holding phase following the first process phase, wherein the radiation directed onto the substrate has wavelengths primarily in the region below 1200 nm and an intensity of at least 8000 Watt/m2, while a side of the substrate facing away from a source of the electromagnetic radiation is cooled via a contact with a support cooled by a cooling device.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and an apparatus for passivating defects of a semiconductor substrate, in particular a silicon based solar cell. According to the method, the substrate is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation during a first process phase, wherein the radiation directed onto the substrate has wavelengths at least in the region below 1200 nm and an intensity of at least 8000 Watt/m2. This can lead to a heating of the substrate, or a temperature control can be provided. Subsequently, the substrate is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation during a temperature-holding phase following the first process phase, wherein the radiation directed onto the substrate has wavelengths primarily in the region below 1200 nm and an intensity of at least 8000 Watt/m2, while a side of the substrate facing away from a source of the electromagnetic radiation is cooled via a contact with a support cooled by a cooling device.

Abstract: A wafer boat for receiving wafers, in particular semiconductor wafers, includes at least two elongated receiving elements made of quartz, each receiving element having a plurality of parallel receiving slots, which extend transverse to the longitudinal extension of the receiving elements, and two end plates, between which the receiving elements are arranged and attached such that the receiving slots of the receiving elements are aligned. For increasing the stability, the wafer boat includes a plurality of attachment pieces, via which the receiving elements are attached to the end plates, wherein each attachment piece has a circumference which is at least 1.5 times as large as the circumference of a receiving section of the receiving elements comprising the receiving slots, and wherein each attachment piece is welded or bonded to at least one of the following: an end plate and a receiving element.

Abstract: The starter unit comprising a starter shaft, a transmission, a clutch and a spring accumulator. The starter shaft is mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The spring accumulator is adapted to act on the starter shaft for causing a rotational movement of the starter shaft. The starter shaft is arranged and adapted to be brought from a disengaged idle position into an engaged starter position cooperating with a clutch. The starter shaft is arranged such that it is mounted in a torque proof manner in the disengaged idle position and is rotatably mounted in the engaged starter position. The transmission is arranged and adapted to couple, on its output side, to the spring accumulator for at least partial charging thereof. The clutch is arranged and adapted to transmit, when the starter shaft is engaged, a rotational movement of the starter shaft caused by the spring accumulator to an engine shaft of the internal combustion engine in order to cause rotation thereof.