Patent ID: 6423565
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
A method for fabricating semiconductor layers of a photovoltaic cell, all of the steps of which are carried out in a single vacuum chamber at a constant vacuum level, the method comprising the steps of:providing, in the vacuum chamber, a substrate upon which the photovoltaic cell is to be fabricated; heating the substrate to a desired temperature in the vacuum chamber; depositing one or more layers of n-type IIB/VIB semiconductor material onto a surface of the substrate in the vacuum chamber; depositing one or more layers of p-type IIB/VIB semiconductor material onto the one or more layers of n-type IIB/VIB semiconductor material in the vacuum chamber; treating the one or more layers of n-type IIB/VIB and p-type IIB/VIB semiconductor material with a halogen containing substance in the vacuum chamber; and forming an ohmic contact on the treated one or more layers of p-type IIB/VIB semiconductor material in the vacuum chamber by depositing a metal compound onto the treated one or more layers of p-type IIB/VIB semiconductor material and then annealing the treated one or more layers of p-type IIB/VIB semiconductor material.