Rapid reactive transfer printing of CIGS photovoltaics

Louay Eldada; Baosheng Sang; Matthew Taylor; Peter Hersh; Billy J. Stanbery

doi:10.1117/12.827487

Translator Disclaimer

25 August 2009 Rapid reactive transfer printing of CIGS photovoltaics

Louay Eldada, Baosheng Sang, Matthew Taylor, Peter Hersh, Billy J. Stanbery

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7409, Thin Film Solar Technology; 74090N (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827487
Event: SPIE Solar Energy + Technology, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We demonstrate photovoltaic integrated circuits (PVIC) with high-quality large-grain Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) obtained with the unique combination of low-cost ink-based or Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) based nanoengineered precursor thin films and a reactive transfer printing method. Reactive transfer is a two-stage process relying on chemical reaction between two separate precursor films to form CIGS, one deposited on the substrate and the other on a printing plate in the first stage. In the second stage, these precursors are brought into intimate contact and rapidly reacted under pressure in the presence of an electrostatic field while heat is applied. The use of two independent thin films provides the benefits of independent composition and flexible deposition technique optimization, and eliminates pre-reaction prior to the synthesis of CIGS. High quality CIGS with large grains on the order of several microns, and of preferred crystallographic orientation, are formed in just several minutes based on compositional and structural analysis by XRF, SIMS, SEM and XRD. Cell efficiencies of 14% and module efficiencies of 12% have been achieved using this method. When atmospheric pressure deposition of inks is utilized for the precursor films, the approach additionally provides further reduced capital equipment cost, lower thermal budget, and higher throughput.

Citation Download Citation

Louay Eldada, Baosheng Sang, Matthew Taylor, Peter Hersh, and Billy J. Stanbery "Rapid reactive transfer printing of CIGS photovoltaics", Proc. SPIE 7409, Thin Film Solar Technology, 74090N (25 August 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827487

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE