Mixed-phase solidification of thin Si films on SiO2

Im, James S.; Chahal, Monica; Wilt, Paul C. van der; Chung, Ui-Jin; Ganot, G.S.; Chitu, Adrian M.; Kobayashi, Noboru; Ohmori, Kenji; Limanov, A. B.

doi:10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2010.05.037

Cited by 28 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Promising results have been reported with large grain size ($5 mm), nearly 100% (100) oriented, low intragrain defect density poly-Si lms being formed on quartz substrates as shown in Figure 3.6. 36 The data is for a 130 nm thick a-Si lm on quartz processed using a CW laser operating at 532 nm.…”

Section: Seed Layer Formation By Laser Crystallisationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crystalline Silicon Thin Film and Nanowire Solar Cells

Reehal

Ball

2014

Materials Challenges

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This chapter reviews recent developments in the field of large grain size crystalline silicon thin film and silicon nanowire solar cells. Both technologies offer considerable potential for photovoltaics if they can be realised with adequate material quality on cheap substrates such as glass. The main methods for forming thin polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) films on glass are described. These include thermal solid phase crystallisation, liquid phase crystallisation and epitaxial thickening of crystalline seed layers. The corresponding progress made in device technology is outlined. Some recent work on poly-Si film and solar cell formation on higher temperature substrates is also discussed, together with progress on thin monocrystalline layers produced by epitaxy or lift-off from Si wafers. Plasmonic enhancement of solar cells has attracted considerable interest in recent years. An account is given of developments relating to thin crystalline Si solar cells. Finally, the progress made in the fabrication of Si nanowires and microwires, and their deployment in photovoltaic devices is discussed. Both bottom–up and top–down methods of wire formation are considered. Considerable progress has been made in both planar and wire cell technologies, though the latter is at an earlier stage of development and significant research challenges remain for both. However, with further improvements in material quality and light trapping, excellent prospects exist for a cost-effective thin film crystalline Si technology exceeding 15% efficiency. This will offer all the advantages of Si including stability, non-toxicity and high abundance.

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Section: Seed Layer Formation By Laser Crystallisationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crystalline Silicon Thin Film and Nanowire Solar Cells

Reehal

Ball

2014

Materials Challenges

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“…[10] At NREL, we have successfully replicated the MPS grain structure with an epitaxial silicon absorber. Initial solar cells on these devices are 2.2% efficient and show near-ideal quantum efficiency from the bulk of a 1 µm thick absorber.…”

Section: First Solar Cells On Low-cost Seedsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards Low-cost >15% Efficient Film c-Si Solar Cells: Progress & Challenges

Teplin

2012

Renewable Energy and the Environment Optics and Photonics Congress

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“…However, the thickness is not sufficient to deliver a good performance for thin film solar cells where a ~ 2 μm thick film is required. Conventionally, crystallization of thicker Si layer is achieved either by layer laser crystallization which requires repetitive sequential deposition and laser annealing of thin a-Si layers [147] or by laser annealing of an a-Si seed layer, followed by epitaxial growth [138]. These processes usually require special equipment configuration and are costly.…”

Section: Motivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, an alternative efficient approach of using diode pumped solid state (DPSS) Nd:YVO 4 UV laser has been pursued [134]. The crystallization mechanism is as follows: (i) there is a laser processing window where the power intensity of the optical beam is sufficient to melt the Si films and a stage of coexistence of solid and liquid regions can be sustained [137], as explained in the previous section, (ii) the crystallization then follows the SLS process in which generated Si crystal seeds can be dragged epitaxially in the desired lateral direction [127,138], and (iii) further lateral growth of the previously formed grains via epitaxial growth could possibly be attained by properly adjusting the relative position between the sample and incident beam [133].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Si nanostructures based solar cells

Lei¹

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To address the current problems of increasing energy shortages and serious environmental pollutions, clean energy option such as photovoltaic has been actively explored. Currently, the single crystalline silicon (Si) solar cell dominates the photovoltaic market. Unfortunately, its high cost has seriously impeded its competition with fossil fuels and prevented its widespread application. To address the cost issue,

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Mixed-phase solidification of thin Si films on SiO2

Cited by 28 publications

References 17 publications

Crystalline Silicon Thin Film and Nanowire Solar Cells

Crystalline Silicon Thin Film and Nanowire Solar Cells

Towards Low-cost >15% Efficient Film c-Si Solar Cells: Progress & Challenges

Si nanostructures based solar cells

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