Intermolecular, Inc.

Craig Hunter

Jian Li

Tony P Chiang

Nitin Kumar

Guizhen Zhang

Nikhil D Kalyankar

Minh Anh Nguyen

Upendra Avachat

The present disclosure is directed to methods of forming different types of CuZnSnS(CZTS) solar cells and Copper Indium Gallium DiSelenide (CIGS) solar cells that can be combinatorially varied and evaluated. These methodologies all incorporate the formation of site-isolated regions using a combinatorial processing tool and the use of these site-isolated regions to form the solar cell area. Therefore, multiple solar cells may be rapidly formed on a single substrate for use in combinatorial methodologies. Any of the individual processes of the methods described may be varied combinatorially to test varied process conditions or materials.

Combinatorial methods for making CIGS solar cells

Embodiments of the current invention describe methods of forming different types of crystalline silicon based solar cells that can be combinatorially varied and evaluated. Examples of these different types of solar cells include front and back contact silicon based solar cells, all-back contact solar cells and selective emitter solar cells. These methodologies all incorporate the formation of site-isolated regions using a combinatorial processing tool and the use of these site-isolated regions to form the solar cell area. Therefore, multiple solar cells may be rapidly formed on a single crystalline silicon substrate for use in combinatorial methodologies. Any of the individual processes of the methods described may be varied combinatorially to test varied process conditions or materials.

Methods of building crystalline silicon solar cells for use in combinatorial screening

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Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

Craig Hunter