Abstract: The method for producing a photovoltaic cell includes applying, on a partial region of one surface side of a semiconductor substrate, a first p-type diffusion layer forming composition including a p-type impurity-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium; applying, on at least a region other than the partial region on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a second p-type diffusion layer forming composition which includes a p-type impurity-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium and in which a concentration of the p-type impurity is lower than that of the first p-type diffusion layer forming composition, where the first p-type diffusion layer forming composition is applied; heat-treating the semiconductor substrate on which the first p-type diffusion layer forming composition and the second p-type diffusion layer forming composition are applied to form a p-type diffusion layer; and forming an electrode on the partial region.

Abstract: The composition for forming an n-type diffusion layer in accordance with the present invention contains a glass powder and a dispersion medium, in which the glass powder includes an donor element and a total amount of the life time killer element in the glass powder is 1000 ppm or less. An n-type diffusion layer and a photovoltaic cell having an n-type diffusion layer are prepared by applying the composition for forming an n-type diffusion layer, followed by a thermal diffusion treatment.

Abstract: The method for producing a photovoltaic cell includes applying, on a partial region of one surface side of a semiconductor substrate, a first n-type diffusion layer forming composition including an n-type impurity-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium; applying, on at least a region other than the partial region on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a second n-type diffusion layer forming composition which includes an n-type impurity-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium and in which a concentration of the n-type impurity is lower than that of the first n-type diffusion layer forming composition, where the first n-type diffusion layer forming composition is applied; heat-treating the semiconductor substrate on which the first n-type diffusion layer forming composition and the second n-type diffusion layer forming composition are applied to form an n-type diffusion layer; and forming an electrode on the partial region.

Abstract: The composition for forming a composition for forming a p-type diffusion layer, the composition containing a glass powder and a dispersion medium, in which the glass powder includes an acceptor element and a total amount of a life time killer element in the glass powder is 1000 ppm or less. A p-type diffusion layer and a photovoltaic cell having a p-type diffusion layer are prepared by applying the composition for forming a p-type diffusion layer, followed by a thermal diffusion treatment.

Abstract: The semiconductor substrate of the present invention contains a semiconductor layer and an impurity diffusion layer containing at least one impurity atom selected from the group consisting of an n-type impurity atom and a p-type impurity atom and at least one metallic atom selected from the group consisting of K, Na, Li, Ba, Sr, Ca, Mg, Be, Zn, Pb, Cd, V, Sn, Zr, Mo, La, Nb, Ta, Y, Ti, Ge, Te, and Lu.

Abstract: The invention provides a photovoltaic cell substrate that is a semiconductor substrate comprising an n-type diffusion layer, an n+-type diffusion layer having a higher n-type impurity concentration than the n-type diffusion layer, and a concave portion at a surface of the n+-type diffusion layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a material for forming a passivation film for a semiconductor substrate. The material includes a polymer compound having an anionic group or a cationic group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a paste composition for an electrode, the paste composition including phosphorus-tin-containing copper alloy particles, glass particles, a solvent and a resin. The present invention also provides a photovoltaic cell element having an electrode formed from the paste composition, and a photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A paste composition for an electrode, the paste composition comprising: phosphorous-containing copper alloy particles in which the content of phosphorous is from 6% by mass to 8% by mass; glass particles; a solvent; and a resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a paste composition for an electrode, the paste composition comprising phosphorus-containing copper alloy particles, tin-containing particles, glass particles, a solvent and a resin. The present invention also provides a photovoltaic cell element having an electrode formed from the paste composition, and a photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: The composition for forming an n-type diffusion layer in accordance with the present invention contains a donor element-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium. An n-type diffusion layer and a photovoltaic cell having an n-type diffusion layer are prepared by applying the composition for forming an n-type diffusion layer, followed by a thermal diffusion treatment.

Abstract: The composition for forming an n-type diffusion layer in accordance with the present invention contains a donor element-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium. An n-type diffusion layer and a photovoltaic cell having an n-type diffusion layer are prepared by applying the composition for forming an n-type diffusion layer, followed by a thermal diffusion treatment.

Abstract: The method for producing a photovoltaic cell includes applying, on a partial region of one surface side of a semiconductor substrate, a first n-type diffusion layer forming composition including an n-type impurity-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium; applying, on at least a region other than the partial region on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a second n-type diffusion layer forming composition which includes an n-type impurity-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium and in which a concentration of the n-type impurity is lower than that of the first n-type diffusion layer forming composition, where the first n-type diffusion layer forming composition is applied; heat-treating the semiconductor substrate on which the first n-type diffusion layer forming composition and the second n-type diffusion layer forming composition are applied to form an n-type diffusion layer; and forming an electrode on the partial region.

Abstract: The method for producing a photovoltaic cell includes applying, on a partial region of one surface side of a semiconductor substrate, a first p-type diffusion layer forming composition including a p-type impurity-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium; applying, on at least a region other than the partial region on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a second p-type diffusion layer forming composition which includes a p-type impurity-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium and in which a concentration of the p-type impurity is lower than that of the first p-type diffusion layer forming composition, where the first p-type diffusion layer forming composition is applied; heat-treating the semiconductor substrate on which the first p-type diffusion layer forming composition and the second p-type diffusion layer forming composition are applied to form a p-type diffusion layer; and forming an electrode on the partial region.

Abstract: The method for producing a photovoltaic cell includes applying an n-type diffusion layer forming composition including an n-type impurity-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium onto a first region on one surface side of a semiconductor substrate; applying a p-type diffusion layer forming composition including a p-type impurity-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium onto a second region other than the first region on the surface of the semiconductor substrate where the first region is provided; a thermal diffusion process in which an n-type diffusion layer and a p-type diffusion layer are formed by heat-treating the semiconductor substrate onto which the n-type diffusion layer forming composition and the p-type diffusion layer forming composition are applied; and forming an electrode on each of the first region where the n-type diffusion layer is formed and the second region where the p-type diffusion layer is formed, respectively.

Abstract: The paste composition for an electrode are constituted with copper-containing particles having a peak temperature of an exothermic peak showing a maximum area in the simultaneous ThermoGravimetry/Differential Thermal Analysis of 280° C. or higher, glass particles, a solvent, and a resin. Further, the photovoltaic cell has an electrode formed by using the paste composition for a photovoltaic cell electrode.

Abstract: In a method for producing a photovoltaic cell, the improvement comprising: 1) coating a portion of a semiconductor substrate with a layer of a composition comprising donor element-containing glass particles and a dispersion medium, and 2) heating the coated semiconductor substrate to a temperature sufficient to cause donor element diffusion from the glass particles into the semiconductor substrate so as to form an n-type diffusion region in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: In a method for producing a photovoltaic cell, the improvement comprising: 1) coating a portion of a semiconductor substrate with a layer of a composition comprising acceptor element-containing glass particles and a dispersion medium, and 2) heating the coated semiconductor substrate to a temperature sufficient to cause acceptor element diffusion from the glass particles into the semiconductor substrate so as to form an p-type diffusion region in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The paste composition for an electrode according to the present invention includes metal particles containing copper as a main component, a flux, glass particles, a solvent, and a resin. Further, a photovoltaic cell according to the present invention has an electrode formed by using the paste composition for an electrode.

Abstract: The composition for forming a p-type diffusion layer in accordance with the present invention contains an acceptor element-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium. A p-type diffusion layer and a photovoltaic cell having a p-type diffusion layer are prepared by applying the composition for forming a p-type diffusion layer, followed by a thermal diffusion treatment.