Experimental analysis and computer simulation of a methodology for laser focusing in the solar cell characterization...

This paper presents a quick methodology for focusing a laser beam on a photoactive surface based on performing a single line scan while simultaneously modifying the laser's position over the surface and the distance between the focusing lens and the active surface. The methodology was tested using the computer simulation technique. Several configurations were computer simulated by programming different experimental situations to discover the situations in which this focusing methodology would provide optimum results. The conclusions obtained from computer simulation methodology were checked by means of experimental tests using several solar cells, such as a thin-film amorphous silicon solar cell, a monocrystalline silicon solar cell, and a polycrystalline silicon solar cell. From the tests performed, we concluded that optimum focusing is achieved in systems in which the laser beam induced current signal generated by the photoactive surface has no large heterogeneities (e.g., fingers or grain boundaries), artefacts, or defects. Thus, the best results are achieved in systems where the surface of the photovoltaic device has a certain degree of homogeneity.