Abstract: Methods for depositing a passivation layer on a photovoltaic cell are disclosed. Methods include depositing a passivation layer comprising at least a bi-layer further comprising a silicon oxide and a silicon nitride layer. The silicon precursor(s) used for the deposition of the silicon oxide layer or the silicon nitride layer, respectively, is selected from the family of Si(OR1)xR2y, or from the family of SiRxHy, silane, and combinations thereof; wherein x+y=4, y?4; R1 is C1-C8 alkyl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl, and NR*3; R is C1-C8 alkyl or NR*3; wherein R* can be hydrogen or C1-C8 alkyl; C1-C8 alkyl can be linear, branched or cyclic, the ligand can be saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic (for cyclic alkyl). Photovoltaic devices containing the passivation layers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Chemical additives are used to increase the rate of deposition for the amorphous silicon film (?Si:H) and/or the microcrystalline silicon film (?CSi:H). The electrical current is improved to generate solar grade films as photoconductive films used in the manufacturing of Thin Film based Photovoltaic (TFPV) devices.

Abstract: Deposition methods are disclosed for producing a passivation layer on a photovoltaic cell. Method includes depositing a passivation layer comprising at least a bi-layer further comprising a silicon oxide and a silicon nitride layer. In one aspect, the silicon precursor(s) used for the deposition of the silicon oxide layer or the silicon nitride layer, respectively, is selected from the family SiRxHy or selected from the family SiRxH, silane, and combinations thereof, wherein in SiRxHy x+y=4, y?4 and R may be independently selected from the group consisting of C1-C8 linear alkyl, wherein the ligand may be saturated or unsaturated; C1-C8 branched alkyl, wherein the ligand may be saturated or unsaturated; C1-C8 cyclic alkyl, wherein the ligand may be saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic; and NR*3 wherein R* can be independently hydrogen; or linear, branched, cyclic, saturated, or unsaturated alkyl. Photovoltaic devices containing the passivation layers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to use chemical additives to increase the rate of deposition processes for the amorphous silicon film (?Si:H) and/or the microcrystalline silicon film (?CSi:H), and improve the electrical current generating capability of the deposited films for photoconductive films used in the manufacturing of Thin Film based Photovoltaic (TFPV) devices.