Patent ID: 8153469
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: H01L,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a Group IBIIIAVIA absorber layer for manufacturing photovoltaic cells, comprising: providing a workpiece having a precursor layer formed over a substrate, the precursor layer including copper, indium, gallium, selenium and a sodium dopant; heating the precursor layer to a first temperature; reacting the precursor layer in selenium vapor at the first temperature for a first predetermined time to transform the precursor layer to a partially formed absorber structure; removing the selenium vapor after the step of reacting the precursor layer at the first temperature; cooling down the partially formed absorber structure to a second temperature, wherein the first temperature and the second temperature are each above 400° C., and the first temperature is greater than the second temperature; and reacting the partially formed absorber structure in an inert gas atmosphere at the second temperature for a second predetermined time, which is longer than the first predetermined time, to form a Group IBIIIAVIA absorber layer.