A new methodology to replace conventional diffusion processes has been developed and patented. This simple procedure offers a wide versatility, since it allows the creation of locally doped regions without photolithography steps while simultaneously reducing the global thermal budget of the emitter creation process. The potential of the method has been already confirmed for silicon solar cell applications. Partners to further develop the technology and/or to establish commercial agreements along with technical cooperation are sought.
The Challenge
Photovoltaic technology is playing an increasing role in the current electricity generation market. Nevertheless, technological improvements are still required to increase its competitiveness when compared with other green technologies. Consequently, lower manufacturing costs and increased conversion efficiencies are needed. In order to reduce costs, thinner wafers are being increasingly used in crystalline silicon (c-Si) technology.
Furthermore, an increased use of selective emitters, capable of increasing conversion efficiencies, has been also recently observed.
The standard process for emitter formation in c-Si solar cells does typically involve the diffusion of dopants, which traditionally involves thermal steps where the entire wafers are subjected to temperatures as high as 800 ºC. This kind of annealing treatment can be inconvenient when using very thin silicon substrates due to the undesirable warping effects.
Besides, and even more importantly, traditional furnace diffusion is not selective, so selective emitters cannot be easily manufactured. Thus, doping occurs across the entire substrate surface and on both sides. Additional and expensive steps, such as oxidation and photolithography are required in order to obtain selective emitters by traditional furnace diffusion.
The Technology
The proposed methodology provides a simplified process to locally dope in those regions where a specific doping profile is required. This technology is based on a laser directwriting process. Dopants are placed onto a support, which is transparent to the laser radiation, and a laser beam is focused at selected spots, so that transfer of the dopant species towards the silicon substrate is achieved. Besides, laser radiation results in the local heating of the substrate, thus leading to a selective diffusion into the silicon wafer.
Current stage of development
Diode behavior of the doped regions created on N-type crystalline silicon has already been verified in the laboratory. There is still a need for a validation of the process at industrial scale and the performance of photovoltaic devices manufactured according to the method needs to be compared with that of standard solar cells.
Applications and Target Market
Industries working on crystalline silicon photovoltaics, either as a solar cell manufacturer or as an equipment supplier. In particular, companies with a focus on the fabrication of high efficiency solar cells based on selective emitter technology.
Innovative advantages
· Selective emitters without photolithography or oxidation steps Local doping and removal of silicon coatings (passivation and/or antireflection coatings) Reduce the global thermal budget of silicon solar cell fabrication Easy integration into silicon solar cells production lines
The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech is a public institution dedicated to higher education and research in the fields of engineering, architecture and science, which contributes its knowledge and expertise in order to increase scientific output, transfer its results to society and provide a network of scientific and technical state-of-the-art facilities and technology valorization services that place us at the leading edge of innovation and economic development.
The UPC has established itself as a driver of innovation and is the technology partner of choice for companies and organizations with which it develops projects and builds partnerships. A role borne out by the numerous agreements and research projects that have been set in motion by groups, organizations and laboratories; the creation of new technology-based companies; the generation and exploitation of patents, and the scientific and technical services UPC makes available to its environment in order to generate progress and employment.
The Technology Transfer Office (SGI) is responsible of Designing, coordinating and implementing research valorisation strategies, carrying out the protection policy of the research results, marketing these results through license contracts and designing and setting up the University's enterprise creation model in order to transfer the results of the research to the market, protect and commercialize these results, promote the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, and create technology-based companies within the UPC environment.
Create your free account to connect with Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - UPC and thousands of other innovative organizations and professionals worldwide
Send a request for information
to Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - UPC
Technology Offers on Innoget are directly posted
and managed by its members as well as evaluation of requests for information. Innoget is the trusted open innovation and science network aimed at directly connect industry needs with professionals online.
Need help requesting additional information or have questions regarding this Technology Offer?
Contact Innoget support
