Patent ID: 9236523
Filing Date: 2016-01-12
CPC Classification: C23C,H01L,Y02E,Y02P

Claim Text:
1. A method of forming a photovoltaic device comprising: depositing an amorphous layer containing cadmium and tin over a substrate; placing the substrate in a multiple-zone oven, which includes a transformation zone and a semiconductor deposition zone, wherein the transformation zone contains hydrogen gas at a concentration of about 0.01% to about 10%; heat-treating the substrate in the transformation zone to convert the amorphous layer deposited on the substrate into a completely crystalized cadmium stannate layer, wherein the substrate is heat-treated for between about 3 minutes and about 25 minutes; and after heat-treatment, depositing a buffer layer over the crystalized cadmium stannate layer in the transformation zone; and depositing a semiconductor material over the buffer layer in the semiconductor deposition zone.