Abstract: A method and resulting structure of patterning a metal film pattern over a substrate, including forming a metal film pattern over the substrate; depositing a coating over the substrate surface and the metal film pattern; and removing the coating over the metal film pattern by laser irradiation. The substrate and coating do not significantly interact with the laser irradiation, and the laser irradiation interacts with the metal film pattern and the coating, resulting in the removal of the coating over the metal film pattern. The invention offers a technique for the formation of a metal pattern surrounded by a dielectric coating for solar cells, where the dielectric coating may function as an antireflection coating on the front surface, internal reflector on the rear surface, and may further may function as a dielectric barrier for subsequent electroplating of metal patterns on either surface.

Abstract: A method and resulting structure of patterning a metal film pattern over a substrate, including forming a metal film pattern over the substrate; depositing a coating over the substrate surface and the metal film pattern; and removing the coating over the metal film pattern by laser irradiation. The substrate and coating do not significantly interact with the laser irradiation, and the laser irradiation interacts with the metal film pattern and the coating, resulting in the removal of the coating over the metal film pattern. The invention offers a technique for the formation of a metal pattern surrounded by a dielectric coating for solar cells, where the dielectric coating may function as an antireflection coating on the front surface, internal reflector on the rear surface, and may further may function as a dielectric barrier for subsequent electroplating of metal patterns on either surface.

Abstract: A method for patterning a film pattern on a substrate includes forming a film pattern on a substrate surface, forming a coating over the substrate and the film pattern and inducing porosity or openings in the coating. At least a part of the coating overlying the film pattern is removed including etching at least one layer underlying the coating ahead of removing at least part of the coating.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a method and apparatus to gel a dopant material, which may be a low viscosity liquid, and apply it towards beneficially coating dopant liquid in the manufacture of a three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate. As an alternate to using high viscosity dopants, a dopant coating liquid, which is typically distributed in low viscosity alcohol based liquid forms, may instead be utilized as a dopant material in a gelatinous state towards the manufacture of a three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate. The methods and devices disclosed herein provide for enhancing the high viscosity characteristics of a dopant material. The present disclosure teaches the use of the dopant material in its gelatinous state towards an exemplary cavity filling method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring material on at least a portion of an uneven surface of a substrate in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells, which may include, but is not limited to a thin-film solar substrates (3-D TFSS). An apparatus for transfer coating onto an uneven surface comprising an applicator roll, a transport roll, a heating device, a drying system, a conveying system, a reservoir, a blade, and a substrate. A method for positioning a substrate, selectively coating the material on an uneven surface, compressing the material to conform at the uneven surface, heating the material to a temperature more than that of the substrate, and drying the material to form continuous material coverage on said uneven surface. A method and apparatus for passing the substrate in a controlled environment, agitating the material prior to step of selectively coating, and heating the conveying plane.