Patent ES-8601567-A1 (ES)
Title: System and method for eliminating short circuit current paths in photovoltaic devices.
IPC: H01L31/0224
Filed: 1984-08-31
Abstract: A dilute electrolyte solution is applied to the conductive light transmissive material and a current is passed through the short circuit current path and the electrolyte. This causes the conductive transparent material to be etched until sufficient conductive transparent material is removed to electrically isolate the conductive transparent material from the short circuit current path. Alternatively the isolation is provided by depositing a body of insulating material onto the semiconductor region over an area including a short circuit current path prior to the deposition of the conductive light transmissive material. - In another alternative, the short circuit current path can be detected and located by applying a voltage to discrete areas of the device through a conductive solution. When the current flowing through the solution is greater than a predetermined level, a short circuit current path is located. - The short circuit current path is subsequently eliminated by the application of an appropriate voltage and current through a conductive etchant solution. Subsequently, an insulating material can be applied to the etched areas. EPAB- EP-139795 B A method of eliminating a short circuit current path through a photovoltaic device having a semiconductor region overlying a substrate and a layer of conductive light transmissive material overlying said semiconductor region, said short circuit current path extending from said substrate through said semiconductor region to said conductive light transmissive material, characterised by applying a coating of an electrolyte solution to said conductive light transmissive material at least in the area of said short circuit current path and passing a current through said short circuit current path and said electrolyte for removing said conductive light transmissive material from contact with said short circuit current path. USAB- US4451970 A The short circuit current paths extend through the at least one semiconductor region from the substrate to the layer of conductive light transmissive material. - The resistibity of the short circuit current path is increased at the interface between the conductive light transmissive material and the semiconductor region by isolating electrically the conductive light transmissive material from the short circuit current path. - The transparent conductive material is removed from electrical contact or connection with the short circuit current path. - The isolation also can be provided by depositing a body of insulating material onto the semiconductor region over an area including a short circuit current path prior to the deposition of the conductive light transmissive material. - The short circuit current path can be detected and located by applying a voltage to discrete areas of the device through a conductive solution. - The system is for making large area amorphous semiconductor photovoltaic devices. - (14pp) - US4451970 A The short circuit current paths extend through the at least one semiconductor region from the substrate to the layer of conductive light transmissive material. The resistivity of the short circuit current path is increased at the interface between the conductive light transmissive material and the semiconductor region by isolating electrically the conductive light transmissive material from the short circuit current path. - The transparent conductive material is removed from electrical contact or connection with the short circuit current path. The isolation also can be provided by depositing a body of insulating material onto the semiconductor region over an area including a short circuit current path prior to the deposition of the conductive light transmissive material. The short circuit current path can be detected and located by applying a voltage to discrete areas of the device through a conductive solution. The system is for making large area amorphous semiconductor photovoltaic devices. - US4510674 A The short circuit current paths which are eliminated extend through the at least one semiconductor region from the substrate to the layer of conductive light transmissive material. The resistivity of the short circuit current path is increased at the interface between the conductive light transmissive material and the semiconductor region by isolating electrically the conductive light transmissive material from the short circuit current path. - The isolation can be provided by removing the transparent conductive material from electrical contact or connection with the short circuit current path. The isolation also can be provided by depositing a body of insulating material onto the semiconductor region over an area including a short circuit current path prior to the deposition of the conductive light transmissive material. Further, the short circuit current path can be detected and located by applying a voltage to discrete areas of the device through a conductive solution which path then can be eliminated as described above. - (13pp)