Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is a method for producing a silicon-carbon composite material. The composite material can be used as an active material for the negative electrode of lithium-ion batteries on a silicon basis or processed further to form such an active material. In the case of use as a lithium store, the composite material is characterized by a particularly high specific capacity and a charging and discharging cycle-dependent life span which is particularly long.

Abstract: A method for producing a dopant profile is provided. The method includes starting from a surface of a wafer-shaped semiconductor component by introducing dopant atoms into the semiconductor component. The dopant-containing layer is produced on or in a region of the surface in order to produce a provisional first dopant profile and then a plurality of semiconductor components having a corresponding layer is subjected to heat treatment on top of one another in the form of a stack in order to produce a second dopant profile having a greater depth in comparison to the first dopant profile.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a dopant profile based on a surface of a wafer-like semiconductor component with phosphorus as a dopant. The method includes the steps of applying a phosphorus dopant source onto the surface, forming a first dopant profile with the dopant source that is present on the surface, removing the dopant source, and forming a second dopant profile that has a greater depth in comparison to the first dopant profile. In order to form an optimized dopant profile, the dopant source is removed after forming the first dopant profile, and precipitates that are crystallized selectively on or in the surface from the precipitates SixPy and SixPyOz are removed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) cell comprises a base substrate comprising silicon and including an upper doped region. A coating layer is disposed on the upper doped region and has an outer surface. Fingers are disposed in the coating layer. Each finger has a lower portion in electrical contact with the upper doped region, and an upper portion extending outwardly through the outer surface. Each finger comprises a first metal. A busbar is spaced from the upper doped region, which is free of physical contact with the busbar. The busbar is in electrical contact with the upper portions of the fingers. The busbar comprises a second metal and a third metal different from the first and second metals. The third metal has a melting temperature of no greater than about 300° C. A method of forming the PV cell is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a dopant profile based on a surface of a wafer-like semiconductor component with phosphorus as a dopant. The method includes the steps of applying a phosphorus dopant source onto the surface, forming a first dopant profile with the dopant source that is present on the surface, removing the dopant source, and forming a second dopant profile that has a greater depth in comparison to the first dopant profile. In order to form an optimized dopant profile, the dopant source is removed after forming the first dopant profile, and precipitates that are crystallized selectively on or in the surface from the precipitates SixPy and SixPyOz are removed.

Abstract: A method for producing a dopant profile is provided. The method includes starting from a surface of a wafer-shaped semiconductor component by introducing dopant atoms into the semiconductor component. The dopant-containing layer is produced on or in a region of the surface in order to produce a provisional first dopant profile and then a plurality of semiconductor components having a corresponding layer is subjected to heat treatment on top of one another in the form of a stack in order to produce a second dopant profile having a greater depth in comparison to the first dopant profile.

Abstract: The invention is related to a procedure for the heat treatment of semiconductor elements, which are fed through a process chamber in the continuous-flow procedure. With it, ceramic transport aids used for the transport of the semiconductor elements demonstrate a clearly better long-term mechanical stability compared with known procedures; it is proposed that at least, by way of example, one specific humid atmosphere be adjusted in the process chamber.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising a semiconductor substrate in the shape of a slice, the method comprising the steps of: step 1) selectively applying a pattern of a solids-based dopant source to a first major surface of said semiconducting substrate; step 2) diffusing the dopant atoms from said solids-based dopant source into said substrate by a controlled heat treatment step in a gaseous environment surrounding said semi-conducting substrate, the dopant from said solids-based dopant source diffusing directly into said substrate to form a first diffusion region and, at the same time, diffusing said dopant from said solids-based dopant source indirectly via said gaseous environment into said substrate to form a second diffusion region in at least some areas of said substrate to form a second diffusion region in at least some areas of said substrate not covered by said pattern; and step 3) forming a metal contact pattern substantially in alignment with

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising a semiconductor substrate (2) in the shape of a slice, the method comprising the steps of: step 1) selectively applying a pattern of a solids-based dopant source to a first major surface of said semiconducting substrate (2); step 2) diffusing the dopant atoms from said solids-based dopant source into said substrate (2) by a controlled heat treatment step in a gaseous environment surrounding said semi-conducting substrate (2), the dopant from said solids-based dopant source diffusing directly into said substrate (2) to form a first diffusion region (12) and, at the time, diffusing said dopant from said solids-based dopant source indirectly via said gaseous environment into said substrate (2) to form a second diffusion region (15) in at least some areas of said substrate (2) not covered by said pattern; and step 3) forming a metal contact pattern (20) substantially in alignment with said first diffusion region (12) with

Abstract: An open apparatus is described for the processing of planar thin semiconductor substrates, particularly for the processing of solar cells. The apparatus includes a first zone for the drying and burn-out of organic components from solid or liquid based dopant sources pre-applied to the substrates. The zone is isolated from the remaining zones of the apparatus by an isolating section to prevent cross-contamination between burn-out zone and the remaining processing zones. All the zones of the apparatus may be formed from a quartz tube around which heaters are placed for raising the temperature inside the quartz tube. Each zone may be purged with a suitable mixture of gases, e.g. inert gases such as argon, as well as oxygen and nitrogen. The zones may also be provided with gaseous dopants such as POCl3 and the present invention includes the sequential diffusion of more than one dopant into the substrates. Some of the zones may be used for driving-in the dopants alternatively, for other processes, e.g. oxidation.