Abstract: A method of passivating semiconductor devices using existing tools of junction isolation and phosphosilicate glass (PSG)/borosilicate glass (BSG) etch via room temperature wet chemical growth (RTWCG) processes is provided. Back side processing of the semiconductor device achieves passivation and junction isolation in a single step, while front side processing achieves passivation, PSG/BSG etch, anti-reflection coating and potential induced degradation (PID) mitigation simultaneously. A modified solar cell fabrication method is then provided by integrating the passivation formation method into conventional solar cell manufacturing systems. The resulting solar cells comprise a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface. The front surface is coated with a SiOx layer less than 50 nm thick, over which a SiNx layer is deposited. On the back surface, another SiOx layer is coated. Experimental data shows high efficiency and mitigated PID of the solar cells.

Abstract: A semiconductor system includes a silicon substrate and a porous silicon region disposed on the silicon substrate. The porous silicon region is configured to passivate the surface of the silicon substrate via a field effect and to reduce reflection loss on the silicon substrate via an appropriate refractive index. The porous silicon region is manufactured by a stain etching process, which retrofits existing tools for junction isolation and Phosphorus Silicon Glass (PSG) etch in solar cell manufacturing. The retrofitted tools for junction isolation and PSG etch achieves multiple purposes in a single step, including etch-back, PSG etch, antireflection coating, and passivation of the front surface of the solar cell.

Abstract: A method of passivating semiconductor devices using existing tools of junction isolation and phosphosilicate glass (PSG)/borosilicate glass (BSG) etch via room temperature wet chemical growth (RTWCG) processes is provided. Back side processing of the semiconductor device achieves passivation and junction isolation in a single step, while front side processing achieves passivation, PSG/BSG etch, anti-reflection coating and potential induced degradation (PID) mitigation simultaneously. A modified solar cell fabrication method is then provided by integrating the passivation formation method into conventional solar cell manufacturing systems. The resulting solar cells comprise a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface. The front surface is coated with a SiOx layer less than 50 nm thick, over which a SiNx layer is deposited. On the back surface, another SiOx layer is coated. Experimental data shows high efficiency and mitigated PID of the solar cells.