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Silicon ribbon growth using scanned lasers.
Applied Optics
|March 12, 2010
Summary
Researchers developed a new method for growing large-grained silicon ribbon for photovoltaic arrays using scanned carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers. This technique achieved high growth rates and yielded solar cells with 12.7% efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photovoltaics
- Laser Processing
Background:
- Growing silicon in ribbon form is crucial for low-cost photovoltaic arrays.
- High reflectivity of molten silicon limits laser beam coupling.
- Efficient methods for producing large-grained silicon are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a high-rate silicon ribbon growth method.
- To enhance laser coupling to the molten silicon zone.
- To produce silicon material suitable for efficient solar cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing scanned focused carbon dioxide (CO2) laser beams to create a molten zone in polycrystalline silicon ribbon.
- Employing a spherical-section reflector to increase laser coupling efficiency by re-imaging the reflected beam.
- Drawing large-grained macrocrystalline silicon from the molten zone.
Main Results:
- Achieved silicon ribbon growth rates of up to 13.3 cm/min.
- Demonstrated significantly increased laser coupling to the melt zone using a reflector.
- Fabricated solar cells with a maximum conversion efficiency of 12.7%.
Conclusions:
- The CO2 laser-based method is effective for high-speed growth of large-grained silicon ribbon.
- Enhanced laser coupling is key to the efficiency of this silicon growth technique.
- The produced silicon material shows promise for cost-effective, efficient solar cell fabrication.
