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Title
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Advanced laser processing and photoluminescence characterisation of high efficiency silicon solar cells
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| Author(s) |
Abbott, Malcolm David, School of Photovoltaic & Renewable Energy Engineering, UNSW
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| Resource Type |
Thesis
PhD Doctorate
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| Keyword(s) |
Solar cells
Lasers in engineering
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| Date |
2006 |
| School/Centre |
University of New South Wales. School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering |
| Description/Abstract |
Many current technologies used in solar cell fabrication have been successfully adapted
from the integrated circuits industry. The success of laser processing applications in this
industry indicates that such techniques should be considered to reduce manufacturing
costs and to improve electrical efficiency of solar cells. This thesis examines the application
of advanced laser processing to improve the electrical performance and reduce manufacturing
costs of solar cells. It focuses on several different aspects of laser processing;
(1) understanding and characterising the effect of laser pulses on silicon, (2) developing
new fabrication technologies and (3) integrating laser processes with working solar cell
devices.
The thesis begins with an overview of existing solar cell structures that incorporate
laser processing. A study is then presented that explores the detrimental effects of laser
processing, how it can be avoided and how to characterise its influence on solar cell electrical
properties. Experimental results combine Yang defect etching, photoconductance
decay measurements and a new technique of photoluminescence imaging to isolate the
influence of laser ablation and laser melting on silicon wafers. This understanding is used
in the development of several laser processes. A laser texturing technique is developed to
texture the surface of multicrystalline wafers that cannot be effectively textured with the
alkaline etches used on single crystal material. Three advanced laser contacting schemes;
laser micro contacts, laser defined aluminium electrodes and laser doping, are assessed as
techniques to improve cell efficiency and to reduce fabrication costs. In the final chapter
the integration of laser processing with solar cell devices is demonstrated through the fabrication
and characterisation of n-type double-sided solar cells with laser doped contacts.
Efficiencies of up to 17.4% with an open circuit voltage of 672 mV are reported. This
thesis also presents the application of a new characterisation technique, based on photoluminescence,
to aid in improving both new and existing fabrication technologies. The
work presented in this thesis demonstrates the applicability of advanced laser processing
to solar cell fabrication and shows how laser processes can be used in a variety of ways
to improve the electrical performance and reduce the fabrication complexity of solar cell
devices. |
| Language |
EN |
| Rights |
Please click here to view the rights |
| Citation Link |
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/27233 |
| Full Text | 
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| Total Attachment(s) | 2 |
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