Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a continuous forming method and apparatus for functional deposited films having excellent characteristics while preventing any mutual mixture of gases between film forming chambers having different pressures, wherein each of semiconductor layers of desired conduction type is deposited on a strip-like substrate within a plurality of film forming chambers, by plasma CVD, while the strip-like substrate is being moved continuously in a longitudinal direction thereof through the plurality of film forming chambers connected via a gas gate having the structure of introducing a scavenging gas into a slit-like separation passage, characterized in that at least one of the gas gates connecting the i-type layer film forming chamber for forming the semiconductor junction and the n- or p-type layer film forming chamber having higher pressure than the i-type layer film forming chamber has the scavenging gas introducing position disposed on the n- or p-type layer film forming chamber sid

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thin films by plasma CVD is described. This method comprises supplying power to a power electrode in a way such that a self-bias upon plasma discharge of the power applying electrode, which is situated in a plasma discharge space, is a positive potential relative to a ground electrode.

Abstract: A continuous film-forming apparatus includes a plurality of reaction chambers each capable of forming a semiconductor film with a different chemical composition. The reaction chambers are arranged such that a substrate web on which a film is to be formed can be hermetically moved through each of the reaction chambers under a vacuum condition. A gas gate is disposed at a central position between each pair of adjacent reaction chambers, with each gas gate provided with a slit for communication between the adjacent reaction chambers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion element containing at least one pin junction, wherein a diffusion preventing layer is provided between an n-type layer and an i-type layer and/or between an i-type layer and a p-type layer, and the diffusion preventing layer is deposited such that deposition temperature differs in its thickness direction.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprises a semiconductor region having at least one set of semiconductor layers comprised of a first semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type, an intrinsic or substantially intrinsic second semiconductor layer, and a third semiconductor layer having a conductivity type opposite to that of the first conductivity type, the layers being formed in this order, and first and second electrodes provided such that the electrodes interpose the semiconductor region; wherein the density of a dopant impurity determining the conductivity type of the first semiconductor layer in a set of semiconductor layers which is in contact with the first electrode is varied so as to be lower on the side of the first electrode, or the grain size of crystals in the first semiconductor layer is varied so as to be smaller on the side of the first electrode.

Abstract: Provided are a photovoltaic element suitable for practical use, low in cost, high in reliability, and high in photoelectric conversion efficiency, and a fabrication process thereof. In the photovoltaic element having stacked layers of non-single-crystal semiconductors, at least an i-type semiconductor layer and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer are stacked on a first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and the second conduction type semiconductor layer has a layer A formed by exposing the surface of the i-type semiconductor layer to a plasma containing a valence electron controlling agent and a layer B deposited on the layer A by a CVD process using at least the valence electron controlling agent and the main constituent elements of the i-type semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element comprises a first non-monocrystalline silicon-containing semiconductor layer of a first-conductivity type, a first i-type non-monocrystalline silicon-containing semiconductor layer formed by microwave plasma CVD, a second i-type non-monocrystalline silicon-containing semiconductor layer formed by high-frequency plasma CVD, and a second non-monocrystalline silicon-containing semiconductor layer of a conductivity type opposite to the first-conductivity type, wherein the second semiconductor layer is formed by plasma doping.

Abstract: In the microwave plasma CVD apparatus according to the present invention, magnets are disposed at the outer circumference of the microwave introduction section thereby forming the magnetic field in the same direction as the direction of introducing the microwave to thereby prevent film deposition to the microwave introduction window. By the apparatus according to the present invention: (1) Microwave can be supplied to the inside of the vacuum chamber always under stabilized state, and (2) the maintenance frequency for the microwave introduction window of the microwave CVD apparatus can be increased.

Abstract: In a vapor deposition film forming apparatus having a plurality of reactors each having a substrate and an electrode oppositely arranged in a vacuum chamber and means for applying a voltage thereacross to react or decompose reaction gas introduced into the vacuum chamber, the reactors are arranged on a circumference of a circle and coaxial cables having substantially equal impedance radially extend to the reactors from a matching circuit located at the center of the circle.

Abstract: In a vapor deposition film forming apparatus having a plurality of reactors each having a substrate and an electrode oppositely arranged in a vacuum chamber and means for applying a voltage thereacross to react or decompose reaction gas introduced into the vacuum chamber, the reactors are arranged on a circumference of a circle and reaction gas supply pipes having substantially equal supply resistance radially extend to the reactors from a gas reservoir located at the center of the circle.

Abstract: In a vapor deposition film forming apparatus having a plurality of reactors each having a substrate and an electrode oppositely arranged in a vacuum chamber and means for applying a voltage thereacross to react or decompose reaction gas introduced into the vacuum chamber, the reactors are arranged on the circumference of a circle and exhaust pipes having substantially equal exhaust resistance radially extend to the reactors from a common exhaust pipe located at the center of the circle.