Laser Fired Aluminum Emitter for High Efficiency Silicon Photovoltaics Using Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon and Silicon Oxide Dielectric Passivation

• Main Author: Fischer, Anton H.
• Other Authors: Kherani, Nazir P.
• Language: en_ca
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Laser Fired Contact; LFC; a-Si:H; Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon; DC Saddle Field; Localized Rear Emitter; 0544
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/25580

This thesis proposes and demonstrates a hydrogenated amorphous silicon passivated, inverted photovoltaic device on n-type silicon, utilizing a Laser Fired Emitter on a rear i-a- Si:H/SiOx dielectric stack. This novel low-temperature-fabricated device architecture constitutes the first demonstration of an LFE on a dielectric passivation stack. The optimization of the device is explored through Sentaurus computational modeling, predicting a potential efficiency of >20%. Proof of concept devices are fabricated using the DC Saddle Field PECVD system for the deposition of hydrogenated amorphous silicon passivation layers. Laser parameters are explored highlighting pulse energy density as a key performance determining factor. Annealing of devices in nitrogen atmosphere shows performance improvements albeit that the maximum annealing temperature is limited by the thermal stability of the passivation. A proof of concept device efficiency of 11.1% is realized forming the basis for further device optimization.