Patent ID: 8187434
Filing Date: 2012-05-29
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A system for large scale manufacture of thin film photovoltaic cells, the system comprising: a chamber comprising a plurality of compartments in a common vacuum ambient therein; one or more shutter screens removably separating each of the plurality of compartments; one or more transfer tools configured to transfer a substrate from one compartment to another without breaking the common vacuum ambient, the substrate being optically transparent and being characterized by a lateral dimension of about 1 meter or greater for a solar module; wherein at least some of the plurality of compartments are configured to subject the substrate to one or more thin film processes to form a Cu-rich Cu—In composite material overlying the substrate and at least one of the plurality of compartments is configured to subject the Cu-rich Cu—In composite material to a thermal process to form a chalcogenide structured material.