公开(公告)号：US20170133246A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-11

申请号：US14981258

申请日：2015-12-28

Applicant: First Solar, Inc.

Inventor： Benyamin Buller ,  Markus Gloeckler ,  David Hwang ,  Rui Shao ,  Zhibo Zhao

IPC: H01L21/67 ,  H01L21/677 ,  H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/032

CPC classification number: H01L21/67109 ,  C23C14/086 ,  C23C14/5806 ,  H01L21/677 ,  H01L31/022466 ,  H01L31/0324 ,  H01L31/03923 ,  H01L31/03925 ,  H01L31/073 ,  H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/1864 ,  Y02E10/541 ,  Y02E10/543 ,  Y02P70/521

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a crystalline cadmium stannate layer of a photovoltaic device by heating an amorphous layer in the presence of hydrogen gas.

公开(公告)号：US20160197226A1

公开(公告)日：2016-07-07

申请号：US15069555

申请日：2016-03-14

Applicant: First Solar, Inc.

Inventor： Akhlesh Gupta ,  Markus Gloeckler ,  Rick C. Powell

IPC: H01L31/18 ,  B05B13/02 ,  H01L21/67 ,  H01L31/073 ,  H01L21/677

CPC classification number: H01L31/1828 ,  B05B13/0221 ,  C23C14/0629 ,  C23C14/24 ,  C23C14/56 ,  H01L21/02562 ,  H01L21/02664 ,  H01L21/67109 ,  H01L21/67201 ,  H01L21/67706 ,  H01L31/073 ,  H01L31/1864 ,  Y02E10/543 ,  Y02P70/521

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which cadmium chloride is deposited on a cadmium telluride layer while simultaneously heat treating the cadmium telluride layer.

公开(公告)号：US20160126395A1

公开(公告)日：2016-05-05

申请号：US14531425

申请日：2014-11-03

Applicant: First Solar, Inc.

Inventor： Dan Damjanovic ,  Markus Gloeckler ,  Feng Liao ,  Andrei Los ,  Dan Mao ,  Benjamin Milliron ,  Gopal Mor ,  Rick Powell ,  Kenneth Ring ,  Aaron Roggelin ,  Jigish Trivedi ,  Zhibo Zhao

IPC: H01L31/073 ,  H01L31/0296 ,  H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/0224

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate structure and at least one Se-containing layer, such as a CdSeTe layer. A process for manufacturing the photovoltaic device includes forming the CdSeTe layer over a substrate by at least one of sputtering, evaporation deposition, CVD, chemical bath deposition process, and vapor transport deposition process. The process can also include controlling a thickness range of the Se-containing layer.

Abstract translation: 光电器件包括衬底结构和至少一个含硒层，例如CdSeTe层。 制造光伏器件的方法包括通过溅射，蒸发沉积，CVD，化学浴沉积工艺和蒸气迁移沉积工艺中的至少一种在衬底上形成CdSeTe层。 该方法还可以包括控制含Se层的厚度范围。

公开(公告)号：US20150004743A1

公开(公告)日：2015-01-01

申请号：US14317479

申请日：2014-06-27

Applicant: First Solar, Inc.

Inventor： Pratima Addepalli ,  Benyamin Buller ,  Markus Gloeckler ,  Akhlesh Gupta ,  David Hwang ,  Andrei Los ,  Rick Powell ,  Rui Shao ,  Gang Xiong ,  Ming Lun Yu ,  San Yu ,  Zhibo Zhao

IPC: H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/032

CPC classification number: H01L31/073 ,  H01L31/1828 ,  H01L31/1864 ,  Y02E10/543 ,  Y02P70/521

Abstract: A method to improve operation of a CdTe-based photovoltaic device is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of depositing a semiconductor absorber layer adjacent to a substrate, depositing a semiconductor buffer layer adjacent to the semiconductor layer, and annealing at least one of the semiconductor absorber layer and the semiconductor buffer layer with one of a laser and a flash lamp.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种改善CdTe基光伏器件的操作的方法，该方法包括以下步骤：将与半导体层相邻的半导体缓冲层沉积在半导体吸收层附近，沉积半导体缓冲层，并退火半导体 吸收层和具有激光和闪光灯之一的半导体缓冲层。

公开(公告)号：US20150000733A1

公开(公告)日：2015-01-01

申请号：US14317433

申请日：2014-06-27

Applicant: First Solar, Inc.

Inventor： Benyamin Buller ,  Markus Gloeckler ,  Akhlesh Gupta ,  Rick Powell ,  Rui Shao ,  Gang Xiong ,  Ming Lun Yu ,  Zhibo Zhao

IPC: H01L31/0224 ,  H01L31/18

CPC classification number: H01L31/022425 ,  H01L31/073 ,  H01L31/0749 ,  Y02E10/541 ,  Y02E10/543 ,  Y02P70/521

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for a photovoltaic device. The photovoltaic device includes a glass substrate, a semiconductor absorber layer formed over the glass substrate, a metal back contact layer formed over the semiconductor absorber layer, and a p-type back contact buffer layer formed from one of MnTe, Cd1-xMnxTe, and SnTe, the buffer layer disposed between the semiconductor absorber layer and the metal back contact layer.

Abstract translation: 对于光伏器件描述了方法和装置。 光电器件包括玻璃衬底，形成在玻璃衬底上的半导体吸收层，形成在半导体吸收层上的金属背接触层，以及由MnTe，Cd1-xMnxTe和 SnTe，设置在半导体吸收层和金属背接触层之间的缓冲层。

公开(公告)号：US20140261685A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US14209094

申请日：2014-03-13

Applicant: FIRST SOLAR, INC.

Inventor： Feng Liao ,  Jigish Trivedi ,  Zhibo Zhao ,  Rick C. Powell ,  Long Cheng ,  Markus Gloeckler ,  Benyamin Buller ,  Igor Sankin ,  Jeremy Brewer

IPC: H01L31/0352 ,  H01L31/0203 ,  H01L31/0296

CPC classification number: H01L31/035272 ,  H01L31/0203 ,  H01L31/0296 ,  H01L31/1828 ,  Y02E10/543

Abstract: Embodiments include photovoltaic devices that include at least one absorber layer, e.g. CdTe and/or CdSxTe1-x (where 0≦x≦1), having an average grain size to thickness ratio from greater than 2 to about 50 and an average grain size of between about 4 μm and about 14 μm and methods for forming the same.

Abstract translation: 实施例包括光伏器件，其包括至少一个吸收层，例如 CdTe和/或CdSxTe1-x（其中0＆nlE; x＆nlE; 1），其平均晶粒尺寸与厚度之比大于2至约50，平均晶粒尺寸在约4μm至约14μm之间， 相同。

公开(公告)号：US20140261667A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US14209924

申请日：2014-03-13

Applicant: FIRST SOLAR, INC.

Inventor： Benyamin Buller ,  Igor Sankin ,  Long Cheng ,  Jigish Trivedi ,  Jianjun Wang ,  Kieran Tracy ,  Scott Christensen ,  Gang Xiong ,  Markus Gloeckler ,  San Yu

IPC: H01L31/0224 ,  H01L31/18

CPC classification number: H01L31/1828 ,  H01L31/022425 ,  H01L31/02966 ,  H01L31/046 ,  H01L31/073 ,  H01L31/1832 ,  Y02E10/543

Abstract: A back electrode for a PV device and method of formation are disclosed. A ZnTe material is provided over an absorber material and a MoNx material is provided over the ZnTe material. A Mo material may also be included in the back electrode above or below the MoNx layer and a metal layer may be also provided over the MoNx layer.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于PV器件的背面电极和形成方法。 在吸收材料上提供ZnTe材料，并且在ZnTe材料上提供MoNx材料。 在MoNx层上方或下方的背电极中也可以包含Mo材料，也可以在MoNx层上设置金属层。

公开(公告)号：US20130327391A1

公开(公告)日：2013-12-12

申请号：US13899153

申请日：2013-05-21

Applicant: FIRST SOLAR, INC

Inventor： Markus Gloeckler ,  Akhlesh Gupta ,  Xilin Peng ,  Rick C. Powell ,  Jigish Trivedi ,  Jianjun Wang ,  Zhibo Zhao

IPC: H01L31/0216 ,  H01L21/02

CPC classification number: H01L31/1864 ,  H01L21/02474 ,  H01L21/02521 ,  H01L21/02562 ,  H01L21/02672 ,  H01L31/02167 ,  H01L31/02363 ,  H01L31/0296 ,  H01L31/073

Abstract: A method for producing apparatus for producing and photovoltaic device including semiconductor layers with halide heat treated surfaces that increase grain growth within at least one of the semiconductor layers and improve the interface between the semiconductor layers. The halide heat treatment includes applying and heating multiple coatings of a halide compound on surfaces adjacent to or part of the semiconductor layers.

Abstract translation: 一种用于制造和光伏器件的方法，其包括具有卤化物热处理表面的半导体层，其增加至少一个半导体层内的晶粒生长并改善半导体层之间的界面。 卤化物热处理包括在与半导体层相邻或部分的表面上施加和加热卤化物的多个涂层。