Abstract: Methods of depositing a transparent conductive oxide layer on a substrate are generally disclosed. A shield of greater than about 75% by weight molybdenum can be attached to a first surface of a substrate such that the shield contacts at least about 75% of the first surface. The shield can then be heated via an energy source to cause thermal exchange from the shield to the substrate to heat the substrate to a sputtering temperature. A transparent conductive oxide layer can then be sputtered on a second surface of the substrate at the sputtering temperature. Methods are also generally disclosed for manufacturing a cadmium telluride based thin film photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A cadmium telluride thin film photovoltaic device is provided having a thin film interlayer positioned between a cadmium sulfide layer and a cadmium telluride layer. The thin film interlayer can be an oxide thin film layer (e.g., an amorphous silica layer, a cadmium stannate layer, a zinc stannate layer, etc.) or a nitride film, and can act as a chemical barrier at the p-n junction to inhibit ion diffusion between the layers. The device can include a transparent conductive layer on a glass superstrate, a cadmium sulfide layer on the transparent conductive layer, a thin film interlayer on the cadmium sulfide layer, a cadmium telluride layer on the thin film interlayer, and a back contact on the cadmium telluride layer. Methods are also provided of manufacturing such devices.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a cadmium telluride based thin film photovoltaic device are generally disclosed. The method can include sputtering a resistive transparent layer on a transparent conductive oxide layer from an alloy target including zinc from about 5% by weight and about 33% by weight and tin. The method can also include forming a cadmium sulfide layer on the resistive transparent layer, forming a cadmium telluride layer on the cadmium sulfide layer, and forming a back contact layer on the cadmium telluride layer. Cadmium telluride thin film photovoltaic devices are also generally disclosed including a resistive transparent layer having a mixture of zinc oxide and tin oxide having a zinc oxide concentration between about 5% and about 33% by mole fraction.

Abstract: Methods of depositing a transparent conductive oxide layer on a substrate are generally disclosed. A shield of greater than about 75% by weight molybdenum can be attached to a first surface of a substrate such that the shield contacts at least about 75% of the first surface. The shield can then be heated via an energy source to cause thermal exchange from the shield to the substrate to heat the substrate to a sputtering temperature. A transparent conductive oxide layer can then be sputtered on a second surface of the substrate at the sputtering temperature. Methods are also generally disclosed for manufacturing a cadmium telluride based thin film photovoltaic device.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a cadmium telluride based thin film photovoltaic device are generally disclosed. The method can include sputtering a resistive transparent layer on a transparent conductive oxide layer from an alloy target including zinc from about 5% by weight and about 33% by weight and tin. The method can also include forming a cadmium sulfide layer on the resistive transparent layer, forming a cadmium telluride layer on the cadmium sulfide layer, and forming a back contact layer on the cadmium telluride layer. Cadmium telluride thin film photovoltaic devices are also generally disclosed including a resistive transparent layer having a mixture of zinc oxide and tin oxide having a zinc oxide concentration between about 5% and about 33% by mole fraction.

Abstract: A cadmium telluride thin film photovoltaic device is provided having a thin film interlayer positioned between a cadmium sulfide layer and a cadmium telluride layer. The thin film interlayer can be an oxide thin film layer (e.g., an amorphous silica layer, a cadmium stannate layer, a zinc stannate layer, etc.) or a nitride film, and can act as a chemical barrier at the p-n junction to inhibit ion diffusion between the layers. The device can include a transparent conductive layer on a glass superstrate, a cadmium sulfide layer on the transparent conductive layer, a thin film interlayer on the cadmium sulfide layer, a cadmium telluride layer on the thin film interlayer, and a back contact on the cadmium telluride layer. Methods are also provided of manufacturing such devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods for effecting a desired business solution. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of aspects of a business are analyzed. Each aspect corresponds to an element of a particular domain of a set of domains wherein the plurality of aspects corresponds to elements from at least two domains. A modification of each element that will result in a desired outcome in regard to the corresponding aspect is determined. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the business solution development process identifies and provides exit criteria pertaining to each stage of the business solution development process. For one embodiment of the invention a set of metrics are defined and tracked to measure the effectiveness of the business solution.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods for effecting a desired business solution. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of aspects of a business are analyzed. Each aspect corresponds to an element of a particular domain of a set of domains wherein the plurality of aspects corresponds to elements from at least two domains. A modification of each element that will result in a desired outcome in regard to the corresponding aspect is determined. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the business solution development process identifies and provides exit criteria pertaining to each stage of the business solution development process. For one embodiment of the invention a set of metrics are defined and tracked to measure the effectiveness of the business solution.

Abstract: A business solution development process having one or more pre-definition stages and one or more post-deployment stages is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, data pertinent to an understanding of a business is analyzed and a future state of the business is envisioned. One or more desired outcomes necessary to attaining the envisioned future state of the business are then determined. One or more transformations that will effect each desired outcome are determined and implemented to attain the envisioned future state of the business.