Patent ID: 8501507
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing thin film photovoltaic devices, the method comprising: accessing a substrate housed in a load lock station that has been depressurized from an external ambient pressure to a first internal pressure that is less than the external ambient pressure; transferring the substrate from the load lock station to a first process station, wherein the substrate is transferred to the first process station via a first transfer station, the first transfer station is mechanically coupled with the load lock station at a first end of the first transfer station, and the first transfer station is mechanically coupled with the first process station at a second end of the first transfer station; performing a first process for forming a thin film photovoltaic device in the first process station, wherein a first process temperature in the first process station is adjusted using a first process station temperature system, and a first process pressure in the first process station is adjusted using a first process station pressure system; returning the substrate from the first process station to the load lock station via the first transfer station; transferring the substrate from the load lock station to a second process station, wherein the substrate is transferred to the second process station via a second transfer station, the second transfer station is mechanically coupled with the load lock station at a first end of the second transfer station, and the second transfer station is mechanically coupled with the second process station at a second end of the second transfer station; and performing a second process for forming the thin film photovoltaic device in the second process station, wherein a second process temperature in the second process station is adjusted using a second process station temperature system, and a second process pressure in the second process station is adjusted using a second process station pressure system.