Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide improved processes and apparatus for removing passivation layers from a surface of photovoltaic cells and improving contact resistance in rear point contact photovoltaic cells. In one embodiment, a method of processing a solar cell substrate includes providing a substrate having a passivation layer deposited on a first surface of the substrate. The passivation layer is a layer stack comprising an aluminum oxide and a silicon nitride. The method also includes exposing the first surface of the substrate to an etchant, and heating the etchant to dissolve the aluminum oxide of the passivation layer on the first surface. The method may further include forming a metal containing layer on a second surface of the substrate that is opposite to the first surface.
Abstract:
Light-absorbing masks and methods of dicing semiconductor wafers are described. In an example, a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of integrated circuits involves forming a mask above the semiconductor wafer. The mask includes a water-soluble matrix based on a solid component and water, and a light-absorber species throughout the water-soluble matrix. The mask and a portion of the semiconductor wafer are patterned with a laser scribing process to provide a patterned mask with gaps and corresponding trenches in the semiconductor wafer in regions between the integrated circuits. The semiconductor wafer is plasma etched through the gaps in the patterned mask to extend the trenches and to singulate the integrated circuits. The patterned mask protects the integrated circuits during the plasma etching.
Abstract:
Etch masks and methods of dicing semiconductor wafers are described. In an example, an etch mask for a wafer singulation process includes a water-soluble matrix based on a solid component and water. The etch mask also includes a plurality of particles dispersed throughout the water-soluble matrix. The plurality of particles has an average diameter approximately in the range of 5-100 nanometers. A ratio of weight % of the solid component to weight % of the plurality of particles is approximately in the range of 1:0.1-1:4.
Abstract:
Improved wafer coating processes, apparatuses, and systems are described. In one embodiment, an improved spin-coating process and system is used to form a mask for dicing a semiconductor wafer with a laser plasma dicing process. In one embodiment, a spin-coating apparatus for forming a film over a semiconductor wafer includes a rotatable stage configured to support the semiconductor wafer. The rotatable stage has a downward sloping region positioned beyond a perimeter of the semiconductor wafer. The apparatus includes a nozzle positioned above the rotatable stage and configured to dispense a liquid over the semiconductor wafer. The apparatus also includes a motor configured to rotate the rotatable stage.
Abstract:
Light-absorbing masks and methods of dicing semiconductor wafers are described. In an example, a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of integrated circuits involves forming a mask above the semiconductor wafer. The mask includes a water-soluble matrix based on a solid component and water, and a light-absorber species throughout the water-soluble matrix. The mask and a portion of the semiconductor wafer are patterned with a laser scribing process to provide a patterned mask with gaps and corresponding trenches in the semiconductor wafer in regions between the integrated circuits. The semiconductor wafer is plasma etched through the gaps in the patterned mask to extend the trenches and to singulate the integrated circuits. The patterned mask protects the integrated circuits during the plasma etching.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to processes for making solar cells by simultaneously co-firing metal layers disposed both on a first and a second surface of a bifacial solar cell substrate. Embodiments of the invention may also provide a method forming a solar cell structure that utilize a reduced amount of a silver paste on a front surface of the solar cell substrate and a patterned aluminum metallization paste on a rear surface of the solar cell substrate to form a rear surface contact structure. Embodiments can be used to form passivated emitter and rear cells (PERC), passivated emitter rear locally diffused solar cells (PERL), passivated emitter, rear totally-diffused (PERT), “iPERC,” Crystalline Reduced-cost Aluminum Fire-Through (CRAFT), pCRAFT, nCRAFT or other high efficiency cell concepts.
Abstract:
Methods of using a screen-print mask for hybrid wafer dicing using laser scribing and plasma etch described. In an example, a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits separated by streets involves screen-printing a patterned mask above the semiconductor wafer, the patterned mask covering the integrated circuits and exposing the streets of the semiconductor wafer. The method also involves laser ablating the streets with a laser scribing process to expose regions of the semiconductor wafer between the integrated circuits. The method also involves plasma etching the semiconductor wafer through the exposed regions of the semiconductor wafer to singulate the integrated circuits. The patterned mask protects the integrated circuits during the plasma etching.
Abstract:
Improved wafer coating processes, apparatuses, and systems are described. In one embodiment, an improved spin-coating process and system is used to form a mask for dicing a semiconductor wafer with a laser plasma dicing process. In one embodiment, a spin-coating apparatus for forming a film over a semiconductor wafer includes a rotatable stage configured to support the semiconductor wafer. The rotatable stage has a downward sloping region positioned beyond a perimeter of the semiconductor wafer. The apparatus includes a nozzle positioned above the rotatable stage and configured to dispense a liquid over the semiconductor wafer. The apparatus also includes a motor configured to rotate the rotatable stage.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses for outgassing a workpiece prior to a plasma processing operation. An embodiment of the invention may comprise transferring a workpiece having a mask to an outgassing station that has one or more heating elements. The workpiece may then be heated to an outgassing temperature that causes moisture from the mask layer to be outgassed. After outgassing the workpiece, the workpiece may be transferred to a plasma processing chamber. In an additional embodiment, one or more outgassing stations may be located within a process tool that has a factory interface, a load lock coupled to the factory interface, a transfer chamber coupled to the load lock, and a plasma processing chamber coupled to the transfer chamber. According to an embodiment, an outgassing station may be located within any of the components of the process tool.