Abstract: A method generally comprises providing heat to a substrate in at least one buffer chamber and transferring the substrate to at least one deposition chamber that is coupled to the buffer chamber via an conveyor. The method also includes depositing a first set of a plurality of elements, using sputtering, and a second set of a plurality of elements, using evaporation, onto at least a portion of the substrate in the deposition chamber.

Abstract: A solar cell includes an absorber layer, a buffer layer on the absorber layer, a front contact layer where a glass substrate, a back contact layer on the glass substrate, the absorber layer on the back contact layer, the buffer layer, and the front contact layer are manufactured as a first module at a temperature exceeding 500 degrees Celsius. The solar further includes an extracted portion from the first module where the extracted portion includes the absorber layer, the buffer layer, and the front contact layer, and where the extracted portion is applied to a flexible substrate or other substrate.

Abstract: A solar cell includes an absorber layer formed of a CIGAS, copper, indium, gallium, aluminum, and selenium. A method for forming the absorber layer provides for using an indium-aluminum target and depositing an aluminum-indium film as a metal precursor layer using sputter deposition. Additional metal precursor layers such as a CuGa layer are also provided and a thermal processing operation causes the selenization of the metal precursor layers. The thermal processing operation/selenization operation converts the metal precursor layers to an absorber layer. In some embodiments, the absorber layer includes a double graded chalcopyrite-based bandgap.

Abstract: A method for forming a thin film solar cell that includes one or more moisture barrier layer made of a water-insoluble material for protection against water and oxygen damage to the top electrode layer material is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming a front contact layer over a substrate, and the front contact layer is optically transparent at specified wavelengths and electrically conductive. A first scribed area is scribed through the front contact layer to expose a portion of the substrate. A buffer layer doped with an n-type dopant is formed over the front contact layer and the first scribed area. An absorber layer doped with a p-type dopant is formed over the buffer layer. A back contact layer that is electrically conductive is formed over the absorber layer.

Abstract: A solar cell includes an absorber layer formed of a CIGAS, copper, indium, gallium, aluminum, and selenium. A method for forming the absorber layer provides for using an indium-aluminum target and depositing an aluminum-indium film as a metal precursor layer using sputter deposition. Additional metal precursor layers such as a CuGa layer are also provided and a thermal processing operation causes the selenization of the metal precursor layers. The thermal processing operation/selenization operation converts the metal precursor layers to an absorber layer. In some embodiments, the absorber layer includes a double graded chalcopyrite-based bandgap.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus comprises a chamber configured to contain at least one sputter target and at least one substrate to be coated. The chamber has at least one adjustable shielding member defining an adjustable aperture. The member is positioned between the at least one sputter target and the at least one substrate. The aperture is adjustable in at least one of the group consisting of area and shape.

Abstract: A solar cell with a molybdenum back electrode layer and a molybdenum selenide ohmic contact layer over the molybdenum back electrode, is provided. The molybdenum selenide layer includes an accurately controlled thickness. A distinct interface exists between the molybdenum back electrode layer and the molybdenum silicide layer. The molybdenum silicide layer is produced by forming a molybdenum layer or a molybdenum nitride layer or a molybdenum oxide layer over an initially formed molybdenum layer such that an interface exists between the two layers. A selenization and sulfurization process is carried out to selectively convert the molybdenum-containing layer to molybdenum selenide but not the original molybdenum back electrode layer which remains as a molybdenum layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a photovoltaic device includes forming an absorber layer for photon absorption over a substrate, forming a buffer layer above the absorber layer, wherein both the absorber layer and the buffer layer are semiconductors, and forming a layer of intrinsic zinc oxide above the buffer layer through a hydrothermal reaction in a solution of a zinc-containing salt and an alkaline chemical.

Abstract: A solar cell includes an absorber layer formed of a CIGAS, copper, indium, gallium, aluminum, and selenium. A method for forming the absorber layer provides for using an indium-aluminum target and depositing an aluminum-indium film as a metal precursor layer using sputter deposition. Additional metal precursor layers such as a CuGa layer are also provided and a thermal processing operation causes the selenization of the metal precursor layers. The thermal processing operation/selenization operation converts the metal precursor layers to an absorber layer. In some embodiments, the absorber layer includes a double graded chalcopyrite-based bandgap.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming a front contact layer over a substrate, and the front contact layer is optically transparent at specified wavelengths and electrically conductive. A first scribed area is scribed through the front contact layer to expose a portion of the substrate. A buffer layer doped with an n-type dopant is formed over the front contact layer and the first scribed area. An absorber layer doped with a p-type dopant is formed over the buffer layer. A back contact layer that is electrically conductive is formed over the absorber layer.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing chalcogenide absorbers in thin film solar cell are manufactured by sequential sputtering or co-sputtering targets, one of which contains a sulfur compound, onto a substrate and then annealing the substrate. The anneal is performed in a non-sulfur containing environment and avoids the use of hazardous hydrogen sulfide gas. A sulfurized chalcogenide is formed having a sulfur concentration gradient.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming a front contact layer over a substrate, and the front contact layer is optically transparent at specified wavelengths and electrically conductive. A first scribed area is scribed through the front contact layer to expose a portion of the substrate. A buffer layer doped with an n-type dopant is formed over the front contact layer and the first scribed area. An absorber layer doped with a p-type dopant is formed over the buffer layer. A back contact layer that is electrically conductive is formed over the absorber layer.

Abstract: A thin film solar cell and process for forming the same. The solar cell includes a bottom electrode layer, semiconductor light absorbing layer, top electrode layer, and a protective moisture barrier layer. In some embodiments, the barrier layer is formed of a water-insoluble material. The barrier layer helps protect the top electrode layer from exposure and damage caused by water and oxygen.

Abstract: A thin film solar cell and process for forming the same. The solar cell includes a bottom electrode layer, a light absorbing semiconductor layer, and top electrode layer. The absorber layer includes a p-type interior region and an n-type exterior region formed around the perimeter of the layer from a modified native portion of the p-type interior region, thereby forming an active n-p junction that is an intrinsic part of the absorber layer. The top electrode layer is electrically connected to the bottom electrode layer via a scribe line formed in the absorber layer that defines sidewalls. The n-type exterior region of the absorber layer extends along both the horizontal top of the absorber layer, and onto the vertical sidewalls of the scribe line to increase the area of available n-p junction in the solar cell thereby improving solar conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a chalcogenide or chalcopyrite-based semiconductor material provide for the simultaneous deposition of metal precursor materials from a target and Se radials from a Se radical generation system. The Se radical generation system includes an evaporator that produces an Se vapor and a plasma chamber that uses a plasma to generate a flux of Se radicals. Multiple such deposition operations may take place in sequence, each having the deposition temperature accurately controlled. The deposited material may include a compositional concentration gradient or may be a composite material, and may be used as an absorber layer in a solar cell.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming a front contact layer over a substrate, and the front contact layer is optically transparent at specified wavelengths and electrically conductive. A first scribed area is scribed through the front contact layer to expose a portion of the substrate. A buffer layer doped with an n-type dopant is formed over the front contact layer and the first scribed area. An absorber layer doped with a p-type dopant is formed over the buffer layer. A back contact layer that is electrically conductive is formed over the absorber layer.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing chalcogenide absorbers in thin film solar cell are manufactured by sequential sputtering or co-sputtering targets, one of which contains a sulfur compound, onto a substrate and then annealing the substrate. The anneal is performed in a non-sulfur containing environment and avoids the use of hazardous hydrogen sulfide gas. A sulfurized chalcogenide is formed having a sulfur concentration gradient.