Abstract: A method of forming a laminate and a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device using the laminate are provided. The laminate forming method includes a first step of forming an intermediate layer on a base member, and a second step of forming a metal layer on the intermediate layer, the adhesion of the metal layer to the base member being lower than that of the intermediate layer, the reflectance of the metal layer being higher than that of the intermediate layer. The rate of formation of the metal layer is increased at an intermediate stage in the second step. The laminate thereby formed has improved characteristics and is capable of maintaining improved reflection characteristics and adhesion even under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions or during long-term use.

Abstract: A film of zinc oxide electrochemically deposited from an aqueous solution is subjected to heat treatment at a temperature equal to or higher than 150° C. and equal to or lower than 400° C. in a nitrogen or inert gas atmosphere that contains oxygen, thereby obtaining a zinc oxide film that is low in electric resistance without impairing the light transmittance of the zinc oxide film.

Abstract: A plating apparatus includes a plating vessel for holding a plating bath containing at least metal ions, a conveying device for conveying a long conductive substrate and immersing the long conductive substrate in the plating bath, a facing electrode disposed in the plating bath so as to face one surface of the conductive substrate, a voltage application device for performing plating on the one surface of the conductive substrate by applying a voltage between the conductive substrate and the facing electrode, and a film-deposition suppression device fixedly disposed in the plating vessel so that at least a portion of the film-deposition suppression means is close to shorter-direction edges of the conductive substrate. At least a portion of the film-deposition suppression device close to the shorter-direction edges of the conductive substrate is conductive.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminate and a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device using the laminate are provided. The laminate forming method includes a first step of forming an intermediate layer on a base member, and a second step of forming a metal layer on the intermediate layer, the adhesion of the metal layer to the base member being lower than that of the intermediate layer, the reflectance of the metal layer being higher than that of the intermediate layer. The rate of formation of the metal layer is increased at an intermediate stage in the second step. The laminate thereby formed has improved characteristics and is capable of maintaining improved reflection characteristics and adhesion even under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions or during long-term use.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminate and a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device using the laminate are provided. The laminate forming method includes a first step of forming an intermediate layer on a base member, and a second step of forming a metal layer on the intermediate layer, the adhesion of the metal layer to the base member being lower than that of the intermediate layer, the reflectance of the metal layer being higher than that of the intermediate layer. The rate of formation of the metal layer is increased at an intermediate stage in the second step. The laminate thereby formed has improved characteristics and is capable of maintaining improved reflection characteristics and adhesion even under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions or during long-term use.

Abstract: In a zinc oxide film having a plurality of texture constituents comprised of hills each having structure wherein a first surface borders on a second surface along one curved line, texture constituents in which first surfaces the hills of the texture constituents have have an average angle of inclination in a size within the range of from 30 degrees or more to 60 degrees or less and second surfaces have an average angle of inclination in a size within the range of from 10 degrees or more to 35 degrees or less account for at least a half of the plurality of texture constituents. This enables improvement in characteristics and durability of zinc oxide films used as optical confinement layers in photovoltaic devices, and also enables formation thereof at a low cost.

Abstract: A method for forming a deposition film from an aqueous solution by electrochemical reaction includes the steps of: forming the targeted deposition film under primary deposition conditions; replacing at least part of members in contact with the solution or removing deposit on surfaces of the members; and depositing a film under secondary deposition conditions. These steps are performed in that order. Then, the deposition film is formed again under the primary deposition conditions. In the method, the resulting deposition film exhibits desired characteristics even after maintenance of the deposition apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a zinc oxide thin film in which a current is passed between a conductive substrate immersed in an aqueous solution containing at least zinc ions, ammonium ions and zinc ammonia complex ions, and an electrode as an anode immersed in the aqueous solution to form a zinc oxide thin film on the conductive substrate. This method stabilizes formation of the zinc oxide thin film and improves adhesion between the thin film and the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a zinc oxide thin film in which a current is passed between a conductive substrate immersed in an aqueous solution containing at least zinc ions, ammonium ions and zinc ammonia complex ions, and an electrode as an anode immersed in the aqueous solution to form a zinc oxide thin film on the conductive substrate. This method stabilizes formation of the zinc oxide thin film and improves adhesion between the thin film and the substrate.

Abstract: A film of zinc oxide electrochemically deposited from an aqueous solution is subjected to heat treatment at a temperature equal to or higher than 150° C. and equal to or lower than 400° C. in a nitrogen or inert gas atmosphere that contains oxygen, thereby obtaining a zinc oxide film that is low in electric resistance without impairing the light transmittance of the zinc oxide film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a web conveying apparatus for conveying a web while holding the web and applying tension to the web, wherein the conveying apparatus has a plurality of rollers with which the web contacts to be conveyed, and at least one roller of the plurality of rollers has a mechanism for limiting deformation of the web within Y/E, and a web conveying method using a web conveying apparatus for conveying a web while holding the web and applying tension to the web, wherein the conveying apparatus has a plurality of rollers with which the web contacts to be conveyed, and the web is conveyed while the deformation of the web is limited within Y/E by a mechanism that is provided for at least one roller of the plurality of rollers. The apparatus and the method prevent meandering of the web.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for producing a zinc oxide film comprising the steps of transporting a conductive long substrate via above at least one electrode comprised of zinc in an electrodeposition bath held in an electrodeposition tank and applying an electric field between the electrode and the conductive long substrate, thereby forming a zinc oxide film on the conductive long substrate, the process comprising a first step of forming the zinc oxide film on a part of the conductive long substrate; a second step of stopping the application of the electric field and the transportation; and a third step of bringing at least a region of a part of the conductive long substrate being in contact with the electrodeposition bath in the second step into non-contact with the electrodeposition bath, and an apparatus suitably used for the process. The process and apparatus enables high-quality zinc oxide films to be produced.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminate and a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic device using the laminate are provided. The laminate forming method includes a first step of forming an intermediate layer on a base member, and a second step of forming a metal layer on the intermediate layer, the adhesion of the metal layer to the base member being lower than that of the intermediate layer, the reflectance of the metal layer being higher than that of the intermediate layer. The rate of formation of the metal layer is increased at an intermediate stage in the second step. The laminate thereby formed has improved characteristics and is capable of maintaining improved reflection characteristics and adhesion even under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions or during long-term use.

Abstract: A plating apparatus includes a plating vessel for holding a plating bath containing at least metal ions, a conveying device for conveying a long conductive substrate and immersing the long conductive substrate in the plating bath, a facing electrode disposed in the plating bath so as to face one surface of the conductive substrate, a voltage application device for performing plating on the one surface of the conductive substrate by applying a voltage between the conductive substrate and the facing electrode, and a film-deposition suppression device fixedly disposed in the plating vessel so that at least a portion of the film-deposition suppression means is close to shorter-direction edges of the conductive substrate. At least a portion of the film-deposition suppression device close to the shorter-direction edges of the conductive substrate is conductive.

Abstract: A substrate for a solar cell is provided which comprises a support having a metal surface and a zinc oxide film formed on the metal surface and having a water content of 7.5×10−3 mol/cm3 or less, preferably 4.0×10−4 mol/cm3 or more. Thereby, the increase of series resistance and the generation of shunt are prevented and the efficiency such as Jsc and the chemical stability are improved, thus obtaining a solar cell with a zinc oxide film having optimal overall characteristics.

Abstract: The present process for electrodepositing a zinc oxide film comprises the steps of immersing a substrate and an opposing electrode in an electrodeposition bath which contains zinc nitrate and is kept heated, and forming the zinc oxide film on the substrate by passing a current between the substrate and the opposing electrode, wherein the process further includes a step of trapping the particles of zinc oxide precipitated in the electrodeposition bath by circulating or stirring the bath before the formation of the zinc oxide film, whereby the present process can prevent the generated zinc oxide powder from depositing on the surfaces of the substrate and the zinc oxide film formed by electrodeposition when restarting or starting the formation of a zinc oxide film by the electrodeposition using an electrodeposition apparatus, and hence the formation of a uniform zinc oxide film free from defects.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electrodeposition process comprising the steps of transporting a substrate in an electrodeposition bath, and forming a film on the substrate, which process further comprises the step of removing particles from the surface of the substrate; and an electrodeposition apparatus comprising an electrodeposition tank for holding therein an electrodeposition bath, a mechanism for transporting a continuous-length-substrate while holding the substrate thereon, and an opposing electrode, which apparatus further comprises a mechanism for removing particles from the surface of the continuous-length substrate. These can provide a process and an apparatus by and in which dust in the bath or any particles due to film-peeling from electrodes can be prevented from causing difficulties such as impact marks in a film-deposited substrate during its transport, to form a good-quality electrodeposited film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a zinc oxide film on a conductive substrate, which comprises dipping the conductive substrate and a counter electrode in an aqueous solution containing at least nitric acid ion and zinc ion and supplying a current between these electrodes to form a zinc oxide film, wherein the aqueous solution further contains polycarboxylic acid in which a carboxyl radical is bonded to each of carbon having sp2 hybrid orbital, or its ester with a concentration of 0.5 &mgr;mol/L to 500 &mgr;mol/L. Thereby, it is possible to form in a short time a thin film having texture structure exhibiting an optical confinement effect, to prevent abnormal growth of a deposited film, and to obtain a zinc oxide thin film having excellent uniformity and adhesion on a surface thereof where the film is formed. Also, by applying the photovoltaic device to a stacked structure, it is possible to enhance the photoelectric characteristics and mass producibility.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is a method of producing a thin film of zinc oxide, which comprises immersing a counter electrode and a conductive substrate as a negative electrode in an aqueous solution containing nitrate ions and 0.05 mol/liter or more of zinc ions, and passing a current between the counter electrode and the conductive substrate to electrochemically deposit zinc oxide on the conductive substrate from the aqueous solution, thereby forming a thin film of zinc oxide, wherein a film forming rate of the thin film is varied at least one time midway during an electrolytic deposition reaction for forming the thin film.

Abstract: A substrate for a solar cell is provided which comprises a support having a metal surface and a zinc oxide film formed on the metal surface and having a water content of 7.5×10−3 mol/cm3 or less, preferably 4.0×10−4 mol/cm3 or more. Thereby, the increase of series resistance and the generation of shunt are prevented and the efficiency such as Jsc and the chemical stability are improved, thus obtaining a solar cell with a zinc oxide film having optimal overall characteristics.