Abstract:
A sample transfer system includes a sample-mounting member mounting a sample thereonto; and a sample-moving device lifting the sample to move the sample between the sample-mounting member and another location, wherein the sample-mounting member comprises: a first predetermined sample-mounting region mounting the sample; and a recessed part on or around a side of the first predetermined sample-mounting region, wherein the sample-moving device comprises a first sample-holding device, the first sample-holding device comprising: a sample-holding surface facing the sample to be lifted; a first contact member contacting with part of the sample; and a movement mechanism moving the first contact member in a direction along the sample-holding surface, and wherein part of the contact member enters the recessed part when the first sample-holding device is brought in proximity to the first predetermined sample-mounting region, the part of the contact member moving within the recessed part by operating the movement mechanism.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    One or more embodiments of the present invention relates to a sample transfer system which transfers a sample such as a substrate from one device, apparatus, or the like to another device, apparatus, or the like, and especially relates to a sample transfer system including a sample-holding device using the Bernoulli effect. In addition, one or more embodiments of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a solar cell. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    In the manufacturing process of an industrial product, there are many processes of lifting a sample such as a workpiece or raw material or transferring the sample between devices. In a case of lifting the sample or transferring the sample between devices, it is necessary to grab the sample, and a sample-holding device is provided as a device for grabbing the sample. 
         [0003]    Examples of a known sample-holding device include a device of a type of physically clipping a sample with a manipulator, a magnetic chuck using a magnetic force, a vacuum pad using vacuum, and a Bernoulli chuck using the Bernoulli effect (Patent Document 1). The Bernoulli chuck is suitable for holding and lifting a thin and smooth sample such as a sheet or a substrate. In addition, since the Bernoulli chuck can hold the sample in a noncontact manner in theory, the Bernoulli chuck does not have negative effects such as attaching an oil film or dirt to the surface of a sample, and making the surface irregular. Therefore, the sample held by the Bernoulli chuck is less damaged by being held and is preferably used in a case where there is a process where a damage to the sample surface affects the appearance and the quality of a product, such as a CVD process, a sputtering process, a printing process, or a plating process. 
         [0004]    In addition, the present applicant newly discloses a method for manufacturing a solar cell (Patent Document 2). The method for manufacturing a solar cell disclosed in Patent Document 2 is, for example, a technique for providing an amorphous semiconductor layer on a crystalline semiconductor substrate by using a PECVD device or the like, and is a method of using a vertical-type vacuum processing device. In the method for manufacturing a solar cell disclosed in Patent Document 2, a plurality of crystalline semiconductor substrates is arranged on a substrate holder (sample-mounting member). Here, many sample-supporting members are provided on the substrate holder. 
         [0005]    Initially, the substrate holder is mounted in a horizontal orientation. In this state, the plurality of crystalline semiconductor substrates are arranged side by side on the substrate holder. In this state, gravity acts in a direction from the front surface of the crystalline semiconductor substrate to the rear surface of the substrate. Therefore, the rear surface of the crystalline semiconductor substrate is held on the surface of the substrate holder, and the orientation of the substrate is stabilized. 
         [0006]    Then, as the next process, the orientation of the substrate holder is changed from horizontal to vertical. At that time, the gravity direction changes such that gravity acts in the direction from one side of the substrate to another side, and the sample-supporting member is brought into contact with the lower side. The sample-supporting member supporting or gripping the lower side of the crystalline semiconductor substrate prevents the substrate from falling. In addition, as a configuration specific to Patent Document 2, the orientation of the crystalline semiconductor substrate is inclined as illustrated in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20  when the orientation of the substrate holder becomes vertical. 
       PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS 
     Patent Documents 
       [0007]    Patent Document 1: JP H9-129587 A 
         [0008]    Patent Document 2: JP 2014-118631 A 
         [0009]    The Bernoulli chuck is disadvantageous in that the suction force of the Bernoulli chuck is less than that of the vacuum pad or the like, and the holding force in a planar direction is particularly weak. Therefore, the held sample is likely to move in the planar direction. That is, the Bernoulli chuck includes a sample-holding surface facing a sample to be held, generates negative pressure by flowing gas between the sample-holding surface and the sample, and sucks the sample toward a sample-holding surface due to difference in pressure from atmospheric pressure. In the Bernoulli chuck, air flow is necessary between the sample-holding surface and the sample, a space through which air passes needs to exist between the sample-holding surface and the sample, and the entire surface of the sample cannot be pressed against the sample-holding surface. In addition, it is difficult to create an engagement part preventing movement of the sample in the planar direction, in the space between the sample-holding surface and the sample. 
         [0010]    Therefore, when a sample such as a crystalline semiconductor substrate or the like is held by the Bernoulli chuck, the sample may move in the planar direction during being held. Thus, positioning accuracy when the sample is attached to or detached from the sample-mounting member such as a substrate holder is deteriorated and handling accuracy cannot be improved, which leads to lowering of productivity of solar cells. In addition, if the method for manufacturing a solar cell disclosed in Patent Document 2 is adopted, the orientation of the crystalline semiconductor substrate is inclined when the orientation of the substrate holder is changed from horizontal to vertical. That is, the crystalline semiconductor substrate is moved from the original position and the orientation is changed. Furthermore, the lower side of the crystalline semiconductor substrate is gripped. Therefore, when the Bernoulli chuck is brought close to the sample in order to collect the sample, the orientation (rotation orientation in the planar direction) of the Bernoulli chuck may not match the orientation of the sample, and suction failure may occur. Furthermore, in a case where the sample is sucked in a state where the sample is gripped, the sample may be caught and broken. For example, in a heterojunction solar cell, which is a solar cell including a crystalline silicon substrate with a heterojunction and is produced in a low-temperature process not exceeding 200 degrees Celsius, since a damage mitigation effect in a heating process cannot be expected much, the crystalline silicon substrate is greatly damaged when the crystalline silicon substrate is held by the Bernoulli chuck. 
         [0011]    One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a sample transfer system which can prevent a sample from moving in a planar direction during transfer, can correct the orientation of the sample, experiences few suction failures, and eliminates occurrence of breakage during suction. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a sample transfer system including: a sample-mounting member mounting a sample thereonto; and a sample-moving device lifting the sample to move the sample between the sample-mounting member and another location, the sample-mounting member including a predetermined sample-mounting region that mounts the sample and that has a recessed part on or near a side of the predetermined sample-mounting region, the sample-moving device including a sample-holding device, the sample-holding device including: a sample-holding surface facing the sample to be lifted; a contact member contacting with part of the sample; and a movement mechanism moving the contact member in a direction along the sample-holding surface, wherein the sample-holding device generates negative pressure by making a gas flow between the sample-holding surface and the sample to suck the sample toward the sample-holding surface by the negative pressure, thus holding the sample at a position in proximity to the sample-holding surface, and wherein when the sample-holding device is brought in proximity to the predetermined sample-mounting region, part of the contact member enters the recessed part, the part of the contact member moving within the recessed part by operating the movement mechanism. 
         [0013]    The recessed part may be a portion partially depressed such as a slot, for example. However, the recessed part may annularly surround the predetermined sample-mounting region. The “recessed part” includes a state where the predetermined sample-mounting region projects and the periphery of the predetermined sample-mounting region is relatively recessed as a result. 
         [0014]    The sample-holding device adopted in one or more embodiments of the present invention is a kind of a Bernoulli chuck, and can hold the sample in a noncontact manner. In addition, the sample-holding device adopted in one or more embodiments of the present invention includes the contact member brought into contact with a portion of the sample. Therefore, the sample-holding device can prevent the sample from moving in a planar direction during transfer. In addition, the sample-holding device adopted in one or more embodiments of the present invention includes a movement mechanism which moves the contact member in the direction along the sample-holding surface. Therefore, before the sample mounted on the sample-mounting member is sucked, the orientation of the sample can be corrected by bringing the contact member into contact with the sample and further moving the contact member. In addition, in the sample-mounting member adopted in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the recessed part is provided on the side of the predetermined sample-mounting region or near the side. Part of the contact member of the sample-holding device enters the recessed part when the sample-holding device is brought in proximity to the predetermined sample-mounting region of the sample-mounting member. Therefore, the sample-holding surface of the sample-holding device can be brought closer to the sample. Therefore, the distance between the sample and the sample-holding device becomes appropriate, and negative pressure can be generated by flowing air between them. That is, the Bernoulli chuck brings the sample-holding surface in proximity to the surface of the sample, generates an air flow in the space between them and generates negative pressure, and floats up the sample by using the negative pressure. Therefore, in the Bernoulli chuck, it is necessary to bring the sample-holding surface close to the sample with an interval of about several millimeters between them, and to make the sample-holding surface face the sample. However, since the contact member of the sample-holding device adopted in one or more embodiments of the present invention needs to be brought into contact with the sample, the contact member includes a portion suspended in the direction vertical to the sample-holding surface. Therefore, when the sample-holding surface is brought close to the sample, the front end of the contact member hits the sample-mounting member, and the sample-holding surface cannot be brought close to the sample. In view of the foregoing, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the recessed part is provided on the side of the predetermined sample-mounting region or near the side, and part of the contact member enters the recessed part when the sample-holding device is brought in proximity to the predetermined sample-mounting region of the sample-mounting member. In addition, by causing the movement mechanism to operate, the part of the contact member can move within the recessed part. Therefore, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to bring the sample-holding surface close to the sample and to make the sample-holding surface face the sample. In addition, it is possible to move the contact member in that state and to change the orientation of the sample. 
         [0015]    In the above-described correspondence, at least two of the contact members may be provided, the sample-holding surface may be a polygon, and the at least two of the contact members may be provided at peripheries of at least two different sides of the sample-holding surface. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, it is recommended that the contact members are provided at four sides. 
         [0017]    The sample-moving device may include a plurality of the sample-holding devices located adjacently, each of the sample-holding devices having the contact member, and the contact members provided on the adjacent sample-holding devices and facing each other may be in a staggered positional relation. 
         [0018]    In one or more embodiments of the sample transfer system of the present aspect, the contact members belonging to the adjacent sample-holding devices, the contact members being located at positions facing each other in the adjacent sample-holding devices, are in the staggered positional relation. Here, the “staggered positional relation” means that the contact members belonging to adjacent sample-holding devices are not arranged on a straight line. Therefore, it is possible to make the distance between the sample-holding devices short, and to reduce the size of the device. 
         [0019]    The sample-mounting member may include a plurality of the predetermined sample-mounting regions located adjacently, each of the predetermined sample-mounting regions having a recessed part corresponding thereto, and the recessed part provided on the adjacent predetermined sample-mounting regions and facing each other may be in a staggered positional relation. 
         [0020]    According to one or more embodiments of the sample transfer system of the present aspect, the sample-mounting member can mount more samples. 
         [0021]    The contact member may be a pin and the recessed part may be a slot. 
         [0022]    The sample-mounting member may be plate-like, the sample may be mounted on the sample-mounting member when the sample-mounting member is in a horizontal orientation, afterwards the sample-mounting member being changed to a vertical orientation and then returned to the horizontal orientation, and a sample-supporting member may be provided at a side of or near the predetermined sample-mounting region, part of the sample contacting with the sample-supporting member to prevent the sample from falling when the sample-mounting member becomes in the vertical orientation. 
         [0023]    The sample-supporting member may be able to prevent movement of the sample in the planar direction of the predetermined sample-mounting region and movement of the sample in a direction separating from the predetermined sample-mounting region. 
         [0024]    One or more embodiments of the present invention are obtained by applying the configuration disclosed in the above-described Patent Document 2 to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0025]    The sample may be a semiconductor substrate or a solar cell in-process including a semiconductor layer partly. 
         [0026]    Here, “a semiconductor substrate or a solar cell in-process including a semiconductor layer partly” refers to a concept including a semiconductor substrate alone such as a silicon wafer or the like, a semiconductor substrate alone such as a silicon wafer, which is a solar cell in-process, a substrate obtained by laminating any layer on a semiconductor substrate, a substrate obtained by laminating any layer on a semiconductor substrate, which is a solar cell in-process, and a substrate in which a semiconductor layer is provided on glass or the like, which is a solar cell in-process. In particular, a silicon wafer (crystalline silicon substrate) is likely to be broken. In recent years, crystalline silicon substrates become thinner and thinner, and crystalline silicon substrates as thin as about 50 to 150 μm have begun to be used. In a case where a crystalline silicon substrate having such a thickness is used, since the crystalline silicon substrate is more likely to warp and to be broken, the Bernoulli chuck according to one or more embodiments of the present invention may be used. 
         [0027]    The sample may be a crystalline silicon substrate or a solar cell in-process mainly including a crystalline silicon substrate. 
         [0028]    Examples of a solar cell in which crystalline silicon is used include a crystalline solar cell (diffusion type) and a heterojunction solar cell. It is possible to adopt one or more embodiments of the present invention for the heterojunction solar cell since the heterojunction solar cell is more sensitive to impact or the like due to a silicon-based thin film layer formed in the heterojunction solar cell. That is, in a heterojunction solar cell, which is a solar cell including a crystalline silicon substrate with a heterojunction and is produced in a low-temperature process not exceeding 200 degrees Celsius, a damage mitigation effect in a heating process cannot be expected much. As described above, since damage caused when the semiconductor substrate is held by the Bernoulli chuck is likely to remain in the heterojunction solar cell, it is possible to adopt one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0029]    The sample-mounting member may include a positioning member that prevents the sample from changing its position or orientation. 
         [0030]    In a method for manufacturing solar cell including a semiconductor substrate or including in part a semiconductor layer, a solar cell substrate in-process may be used as a sample, the solar cell substrate in-process being a solar cell in-process, and a substrate holding process of holding the sample by the above-described sample-holding device of the sample transfer system may be performed. 
         [0031]    According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the performance of a solar cell panel improves, and the yield of solar cell panels improves. 
         [0032]    The solar cell substrate in-process may be a crystalline silicon substrate or a solar cell substrate in-process mainly including a crystalline silicon substrate. 
         [0033]    The above-described method for manufacturing a solar cell may include a substrate lifting process that holds and lifts the sample mounted on the sample-mounting member using the sample-holding device, and in the substrate lifting process, orientation of the substrate may be corrected by bringing the sample-holding device of the sample-moving device close to the substrate and operating the movement mechanism. 
         [0034]    According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, since the orientation of the sample can be corrected and then the sample can be sucked, few suction failures occur and breakage during suction does not occur. In addition, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the sample can be transferred in a correct orientation to a device or an apparatus used in the next process. 
         [0035]    The above-described method for manufacturing a solar cell may include a process of forming a transparent conductive film on the substrate after the substrate holding process. 
         [0036]    From the experience of the present inventors, failure is likely to occur in the process of forming a transparent conductive film. Judging from the experience, it is possible to use the sample-holding device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention in a case where there is the substrate-holding process before the process of forming the transparent conductive film. Furthermore, when plating is performed after the process of forming the transparent conductive film, plating is deposited on a non-desired portion if there is a scratch. However, in a case where plating is performed after the processes according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, deposition of plating on a non-desired portion can be suppressed. 
         [0037]    The sample transfer system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention has an effect capable of preventing the sample from moving in the planar direction during transfer. In addition, the sample transfer system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention can correct the orientation of the sample, experiences few suction failures, and can eliminate occurrence of breakage during suction. In addition, according to one or more embodiments of the method for manufacturing a solar cell of the present invention, the yield of solar cells improves. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the entirety of a sample transfer system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of main parts of the sample transfer system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a sample-holding device adopted in the sample transfer system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a substrate holder adopted in the sample transfer system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of one predetermined sample-mounting region, recessed parts corresponding to the predetermined sample-mounting region, and sample-supporting members of the substrate holder. 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating a state where a substrate is mounted in the predetermined sample-mounting region illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged plan view of the substrate holder illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A in  FIG. 5  in a case where the orientation of the substrate holder is vertical. 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the substrate on the substrate holder is held and lifted by the sample-holding device. 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the substrate on the substrate holder is held and lifted by the sample-holding device, which illustrates a step subsequent to the state illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0048]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the substrate on the substrate holder is held and lifted by the sample-holding device, which illustrates a step subsequent to the state illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0049]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are cross-sectional views illustrating a state where the substrate on the substrate holder is held and lifted by the sample-holding device, which illustrates a step subsequent to the state illustrated in  FIG. 11 , wherein  FIG. 12A  is the entire view, and  FIG. 12B  is a partially enlarged view of the entire view. 
           [0050]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  are cross-sectional views illustrating a state where the substrate on the substrate holder is held and lifted by the sample-holding device, which illustrates a step subsequent to the state illustrated in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , wherein  FIG. 13A  is the entire view, and  FIG. 13B  is a partially enlarged view of the entire view. 
           [0051]      FIG. 14  is a plan view illustrating the orientation of the substrate immediately after the substrate holder is taken out from a CVD device. 
           [0052]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  are plan views illustrating relations between contact pins and the substrate in states when the orientation of the substrate is corrected, wherein  FIG. 15A  illustrates a state before orientation correction and movement directions of the contact pins are indicated by arrows, and  FIG. 15B  illustrates a state after the orientation correction. 
           [0053]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of a solar cell. 
           [0054]      FIGS. 17A to 17C  are explanatory views of manufacturing processes when the solar cell illustrated in  FIG. 16  is manufactured, wherein  FIG. 17A  is a cross-sectional view after each silicon layer is formed,  FIG. 17B  is a cross-sectional view after each transparent electrode layer is formed, and  FIG. 17C  is a cross-sectional view after a base electrode layer is formed 
           [0055]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of one predetermined sample-mounting region, recessed parts corresponding to the predetermined sample-mounting region, and sample-supporting members of a substrate holder adopted in one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0056]      FIG. 19  is a plan view of a substrate plate disclosed in Patent Document 2. 
           [0057]      FIG. 20  is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of the substrate plate disclosed in Patent Document 2. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0058]    Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a sample transfer system  1  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is configured by a carry-in conveyor  2 , a substrate holder (sample-mounting member)  3 , and a sample-moving device  5 . The sample transfer system  1  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is a system in which a solar cell substrate  10  in-process (a sample and hereinafter simply referred to as a substrate) that has been conveyed by the carry-in conveyor  2  is moved and transferred to the substrate holder  3  by the sample-moving device  5 , and then the substrate  10  is detached from the substrate holder  3  and is transferred to another device. Hereinafter, the system will be described in order. 
         [0059]    Known examples of the carry-in conveyor  2  include a walking beam conveyor. The carry-in conveyor  2  can mount and intermittently feed the substrate  10 . 
         [0060]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the sample-moving device  5  is configured of a holding device group  21  and a travelling, lifting, and lowering device  22 . The holding device group  21  is configured by connecting five sample-holding devices  20  in series, which will be described later. The travelling, lifting, and lowering device  22  is a device which holds the holding device group  21 , lifts and lowers the holding device group  21  and causes the holding device group  21  to travel. 
         [0061]    The travelling, lifting, and lowering device  22  includes four travelling rails  23   a, b, c. d,  which are three-dimensionally disposed, and lifting and lowering guides  25   a, b  are fitted to the travelling rails  23   a, b, c, d.  The holding device group  21  is fitted to the lifting and lowering guides  25   a, b.  The travelling, lifting, and lowering device  22  can linearly move the lifting and lowering guides  25   a, b  along the travelling rails  23   a, b, c, d  by means of a travelling motor, not illustrated. In addition, the travelling, lifting, and lowering device  22  can lift and lower the holding device group  21  by means of a lifting and lowering motor, not illustrated. 
         [0062]    Each sample-holding device  20  configuring the holding device group  21  is a Bernoulli chuck. As illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the sample-holding device  20  is configured of a main body  30 , contact pins (contact members)  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36 , and movement mechanisms  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  linearly moving the contact pins in directions along a sample-holding surface  47 . 
         [0063]    The main body  30  is an approximately square plate, and an air introduction pipe  46  is connected to the center of the main body  30 . In the same manner as in a known Bernoulli chuck, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 to 13B , the air introduction pipe  46  passes through from the upper to the lower in the figures. The lower surface in the figure of the main body  30  is a flat surface and functions as the sample-holding surface  47 . The area of the sample-holding surface  47  is slightly smaller than the area of the substrate  10 , which is a sample. Note that the semiconductor substrate  10  is a solar cell substrate in-process, and is a semiconductor substrate. The substrate  10  has the thickness ranging from 50 μm to 200 μm, and warps when the substrate  10  receives an external force. In a case where at least one side of the substrate  10  is textured, the thickness is measured by using the projecting end of the texture as a reference. 
         [0064]    In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  are pins circular in cross-section, are provided at respective sides of the main body  30 , and are directed in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the main body  30 . The lower ends of the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  reach below the sample-holding surface  47 . That is, the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  are provided at a peripheral part of the sample-holding surface  47 , that is, outside the sample-holding surface  47 , and are provided in the direction vertical to the sample-holding surface  47 . For the sake of description, the travelling direction of the travelling, lifting, and lowering device  22  is referred to as the Y-axis, and the direction perpendicular to Y-axis is referred to as the X-axis. In addition, the sides of the main body  30  are referred to as a front side in the X direction (hereinafter referred to as an XF side), a rear side in the X direction (hereinafter referred to as an XR side), a front side in the Y direction (hereinafter referred to as a YF side), and a rear side in an F direction (hereinafter referred to as an FR side). As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , one of the contact pins  31  and  34  is provided at each of the sides in the X direction (XF side and XR side) of the main body  30 . That is, the contact pin  31  is provided on the XF side of the main body  30 , and the contact pin  34  is provided at the XR side of the main body  30 . 
         [0065]    In addition, two of the contact pins  32 ,  33 ,  35 , and  36  are provided at each of the sides in the Y direction (YF side and YR side) of the main body  30 . That is, the contact pins  32  and  33  are provided on the YR side of the main body  30 , and the contact pins  35  and  36  are provided on the YF side of the main body  30 . 
         [0066]    The contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  provided on the respective sides are supported by pin holders and are suspended downward from the outside of the respective sides of the main body  30 . That is, the contact pin  31  arranged on the XF side of the main body  30  is supported by a pin holder xf and is suspended downward from the outside of the XF side of the main body  30 . The contact pin  34  arranged on the XR side of the main body  30  is supported by a pin holder xr and is suspended downward from the outside of the XR side of the main body  30 . Here, the contact pin  31  arranged on the XF side and the contact pin  34  arranged on the XR side are located at positions shifted from each other in the Y-axis direction in the figure. That is, line XFx in the X-axis direction passing through the contact pin  31  arranged on the XF side does not overlap with line XRx in the X-axis direction passing through the contact pin  34  arranged on the XR side. 
         [0067]    Similarly, the contact pins  32  and  33  arranged on the YR side of the main body  30  are supported by a pin holder yr in common, and are suspended downward from the outside of the YR side of the main body  30 . The contact pins  35  and  36  arranged on the YF side of the main body  30  are supported by a pin holder yf in common, and are suspended downward from the outside of the YF side of the main body  30 . 
         [0068]    Here, the contact pins  32  and  33  arranged on the YR side and the contact pins  35  and  36  arranged on the YF side are located at positions shifted from each other in the X-axis direction in the figure. That is, lines YRya and YRyb in the Y-axis direction passing through the contact pins  32  and  33  arranged on the YR side, respectively, do not overlap with lines YFya and YFyb in the Y-axis direction passing through the contact pins  35  and  36  arranged on the YF side, respectively. 
         [0069]    In addition, the pin holders xf, yr, xr, and yf are linearly moved by the movement mechanisms  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44 , respectively. The movement mechanisms  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  are configured by linear guides  80 ,  81 ,  82 , and  83 , air cylinders (drive actuators), not illustrated, and link mechanisms, not illustrated, respectively. The pin holders xf, yr, xr, and yf are supported by the linear guides  80 ,  81 ,  82 , and  83 , respectively. The link mechanism, not illustrated, is engaged with each of the pin holders xf, yr, xr, and yf. Therefore, by causing the air cylinders, not illustrated, to operate, the pin holders xf, yr, xr, yf move in the directions perpendicular to the respective sides (XF side, XR side, YF side, and YR side) of the main body  30 . That is, by causing drive mechanisms, not illustrated, to operate, the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  provided at the respective sides (XF side, XR side, YF side, and YR side) of the main body  30  move in the directions which are along the sample-holding surface  47  and are perpendicular to the respective sides (XF side, XR side, YF side, and YR side). That is, the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  move in the directions approaching or separating from the respective sides (XF side, XR side, YF side and YR side). Assuming that the sample-holding surface  47  is horizontal, the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  horizontally and linearly move. 
         [0070]    In addition, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, two of the pin holders xf, yr, xr, and yf provided on the sides facing each other move in association with each other. Assuming that the pin holder xf provided on the XF side moves in the direction approaching the XF side of the main body  30 , also the pin holder xr provided on opposite XR moves in the direction approaching the XR side of the main body  30 . Assuming that the pin holder xf provided on the XF side moves in the direction separating from the XF side of the main body  30 , also the pin holder xr provided on the opposite XR moves in the direction separating from the XR side of the main body  30 . Therefore, assuming that the contact pin  31  provided on the XF side moves in the direction approaching the XF side of the main body  30 , also the contact pin  34  provided on the opposite XR moves in the direction approaching the XR side of the main body  30 . Assuming that the contact pin  31  provided on the XF side moves in the direction separating from the XF side of the main body  30 , also the contact pin  34  provided on the opposite XR moves in the direction separating from the XR side of the main body  30 . 
         [0071]    Similarly, when the pin holder yr provided on the YR side moves in the direction approaching the YR side of the main body  30  and moves the contact pins  32  and  33  provided on the YR side in the direction approaching the YR side, also the pin holder yf provided on opposite YF moves in the direction approaching the YF side of the main body  30  and moves the contact pins  35  and  36  in the direction approaching the YF side. When the pin holder yr provided on the YR side moves in the direction separating from the YR side of the main body  30  and moves the contact pins  32  and  33  provided on the YR side in the direction separating from the YR side, also the pin holder yf provided on the opposite YF moves in the direction separating from the YF side of the main body  30  and moves the contact pins  35  and  36  in the direction separating from the YF side. 
         [0072]    As described above, the holding device group  21  is configured by connecting the five sample-holding devices  20  in series. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the sample-holding devices  20  are arranged in series in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the XF side of one sample-holding device  20  and the XR side of the sample-holding device  20  adjacent to the one sample-holding device  20  in the X-axis direction face each other. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in the holding device group  21  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the contact pins  31  and  34  provided at positions facing each other in the adjacent sample-holding devices, the contact pins  31  and  34  belonging to the adjacent sample-holding devices  20 , are in a staggered positional relation. That is, the contact pin  31  arranged on the XF side of each sample-holding device  20  and the contact pin  34  arranged on the XR side are located at positions shifted from each other in the Y-axis direction in the figure, and the sample-holding devices  20  are arranged in series. Therefore, the contact pins  31  and  34  provided at positions facing each other in the adjacent sample-holding devices, the contact pins  31  and  34  belonging to the adjacent sample-holding devices  20 , are also located at positions shifted from each other. In other words, line XFx in the X-axis direction passing through the contact pin  31  arranged on the XF side of one sample-holding device  20  does not overlap with line XRx in the X-axis direction passing through the contact pin  34  arranged on the XR side of the adjacent sample-holding device  20 . 
         [0073]    In addition, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, in a state where the contact pins  31  and  34  provided on the XF side and the XR side of the sample-holding device  20 , respectively, have moved to the positions farthest from the XF side and the XR side on which the contact pins  31  and  34  are provided, respectively, the contact pins  31  and  34  are in a positional relation where the distances between the YF side and the YR side of the adjacent sample-holding device  20  and the contact pins  31  and  34 , respectively, are shorter than the distances between the XF side and the XR side of the sample-holding device  20  on which the contact pins  31  and  34  are provided and the contact pins  31  and  34 , respectively. However, the contact pins  31  and  34  provided at positions facing each other in the adjacent sample-holding devices, the contact pins  31  and  34  belonging to the adjacent sample-holding devices  20 , are in a staggered positional relation. Therefore, in a state where the contact pins  31  and  34  provided on the XF side and the XR side of the sample-holding device  20 , respectively, have moved to positions farthest from the XF side and the XR side on which the contact pins  31  and  34  are provided, respectively, the contact pins  31  and  34  are shifted from each other and do not collide with each other. 
         [0074]    Next, the substrate holder (sample-mounting member)  3  will be described. The substrate holder  3  is a member for mounting the substrate  10  in a CVD device, and similarly to the substrate holder disclosed in Patent Document 2, the substrate holder  3  is vertically disposed. The substrate holder  3  is an approximately square metal plate, black lead (graphite) or the like. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, five substrates  10  can be mounted in each row and column. That is, the substrate holder  3  can mount  25  substrates arranged in a matrix. 
         [0075]    A predetermined sample-mounting region  50  for mounting the substrate  10  is defined in the substrate holder  3 . In one or more embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , five predetermined sample-mounting regions  50  are provided in each row and column. The predetermined sample-mounting region  50  can also be described as a portion which the sample-holding surface  47  of the sample-holding device  20  faces when the substrate  10  is attached to or detached from the substrate holder  3 . Since the predetermined sample-mounting region  50  is a portion which the sample-holding surface  47  of the sample-holding device  20  faces, the predetermined sample-mounting region  50  is hypothetically a quadrangle. That is, when the substrate  10  is mounted, the sides of the predetermined sample-mounting region  50  match the sides of the substrate  10 . Since the sides of the predetermined sample-mounting region  50  which match the sides of the substrate  10  are portions which face the sides of the sample-holding surface  47  of the sample-holding device  20  (in a strict sense, the sides of the predetermined sample-mounting region  50  are shifted a little to the outside), the sides of the predetermined sample-mounting region  50  are referred to as an XF corresponding side, an XR corresponding side, a YF corresponding side, and a YR corresponding side, respectively, for the sake of description. Slot-shaped recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  are provided at the side of each predetermined sample-mounting region  50 . The slot-shaped recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  are located at positions corresponding to the above-described contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  of the sample-holding device  20 . 
         [0076]    That is, the recessed part  51  is provided on the XF corresponding side, correspondingly to the contact pin  31  provided on the XF side of the sample-holding device  20 . The recessed part  52  is provided on the YR side corresponding side, correspondingly to the contact pin  32  provided on the YR side of the sample-holding device  20 . The recessed part  53  is provided on the YR side corresponding side, correspondingly to the contact pin  33  provided on the YR side of the sample-holding device  20 . The recessed part  54  is provided on the XR corresponding side, correspondingly to the contact pin  34  provided on the XR side of the sample-holding device  20 . The recessed part  55  is provided on the YF side corresponding side, correspondingly to the contact pin  35  provided on the YF side of the sample-holding device  20 . The recessed part  56  is provided on the YR side corresponding side, correspondingly to the contact pin  36  provided on the YF side of the sample-holding device  20 . 
         [0077]    The length and the direction of the slot of each of the recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  are the length and the direction including a movement margin of each of the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  of the sample-holding device  20 . That is, the slots of the recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  extend in the directions perpendicular to one of the XF corresponding side, the XR corresponding side, the YF corresponding side, and the YR corresponding side. In addition, the length of each slot is longer than the movement distance of each of the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36 . Furthermore, the width of each slot is greater than the diameter of each of the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36 . 
         [0078]    As described above, the predeteimined sample-mounting regions  50  are arranged in rows and columns in a matrix. The XF corresponding side of one predetermined sample-mounting region  50  faces the XR correspondence side of the adjacent sample-holding device  20  in the X direction. The recessed parts  51  and  54  located at positions facing each other in the X-direction are in a staggered positional relation. That is, the recessed part  51  arranged on the XF corresponding side of the predetermined sample-mounting region  50  and the recessed part  54  arranged on the XR corresponding side are located at positions shifted from each other in the Y-axis direction in the figure, and the predetermined sample-mounting regions  50  are arranged in series. Therefore, the recessed parts  51  and  54  provided at positions facing each other in the adjacent predetermined sample-mounting regions  50 , the recessed parts  51  and  54  belonging to the adjacent predetermined sample-mounting regions  50 , are also located at positions shifted from each other. In addition, the position in the slot (recessed part  51 ,  54 ) farthest from the XF corresponding side on which the slot is provided is in a positional relation where the distance from the XR corresponding side of the adjacent predetermined sample-mounting region  50  is shorter than the distance from the XF corresponding side on which the slot is provided. However, the recessed parts  51  and  54  provided at positions facing each other in the predetermined sample-mounting regions  50  adjacent in the X direction, the recessed parts  51  and  54  belonging to the adjacent sample-holding devices  20 , are in a staggered positional relation. Therefore, the recessed parts  51  and  54  are shifted from each other, and are not connected to each other. 
         [0079]    The relation between the predetermined sample-mounting regions  50  adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction is similar. The recessed parts  55  and  56  arranged on the YF corresponding side of the predetermined sample-mounting region  50  and the recessed parts  52  and  53  arranged on the YR corresponding side are located at positions shifted from each other in the X-axis direction in the figure, and the predetermined sample-mounting regions  50  are arranged in series in the Y direction. Therefore, two of the recessed parts  52 ,  53 ,  55 , and  56  provided at positions facing each other in the adjacent predetermined sample-mounting regions  50 , the two of the recessed parts  52 ,  53 ,  55 , and  56  belonging to the adjacent predetermined sample-mounting regions  50 , are also located at positions shifted from each other. Two of the recessed parts  52 ,  53 ,  55 , and  56  provided at positions facing each other in the predetermined sample-mounting regions  50  adjacent to each other in the Y direction, the recessed parts  52 ,  53 ,  55 , and  56  belonging to the adjacent sample-holding devices  20 , are in a staggered positional relation. Therefore, the recessed part  52  and the recessed part  56  of the adjacent predetermined sample-mounting region  50  are shifted from each other and are not connected to each other. The recessed part  53  and the recessed part  55  of the adjacent predetermined sample-mounting region  50  are shifted from each other and are not connected to each other. 
         [0080]    In addition, sample-supporting members  60 ,  61 , and  62  are provided near each predetermined sample-mounting region  50 . Among the three sample-supporting members  60 ,  61 , and  62 , two sample-supporting members  61  and  62  are located near the XR corresponding side. Note that among them, the sample-supporting member  61  is located at a position separating from the XR corresponding side in the X direction. The remaining sample-supporting member  60  is located at a position near the YR corresponding side and outside the YR corresponding side. 
         [0081]    In one or more embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . the sample-supporting member  60  is a flat countersunk head screw, and includes a head  70  and a shaft  71 . The rear side of the head  70  of the sample-supporting member  60  is tapered. Therefore, the front-end portion (head  70 ) of the sample-supporting member  60  is larger in cross-section than the other portion (shaft  71 ), and the front-end portion (head  70 ) is greater in cross-section as it separates from the main body portion of the substrate holder  3 . 
         [0082]    Next, operation of the sample transfer system  1  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described. As described above, the sample transfer system  1  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is a system in which the substrate  10  which has been conveyed by the carry-in conveyor  2  is moved and transferred to the substrate holder (sample-mounting member)  3  by the sample-moving device  5 , and then the substrate  10  is detached from the substrate holder  3  and is transferred to another device. 
         [0083]    In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the substrate holder  3  is initially mounted in a horizontal orientation. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the substrates  10  are sequentially conveyed by the carry-in conveyor  2 . Then, five substrates  10  are sucked by the sample-holding devices  20 , the sample-holding device group  21  is moved by the travelling, lifting, and lowering device  22 , and the substrate holder  3  carries the substrates  10 . Since five rows and columns of substrates  10  are mounted on the substrate holder  3  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the sample-holding device group  21  moves back and forth five times, and the substrates  10  are mounted in all the predetermined sample-mounting regions  50  of the substrate holder  3 . 
         [0084]    Here, the orientation of the substrate  10  mounted in the predetermined sample-mounting region  50  is as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . All the sides of the substrate  10  are parallel to an side  72  or  73  of the substrate holder  3 , the sides of the substrate  10  cross the slot-shaped recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56 . In addition, none of the shafts  71  of the three sample-supporting members  60 ,  61 , and  62  is in contact with the substrate  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . That is, the sides of the substrate  10  are not engaged with the heads  70  of the sample-supporting members  60 ,  61 , and  62 . 
         [0085]    After the substrates  10  have been mounted in all the predetermined sample-mounting regions  50 , the orientation of the substrate holder  3  is changed into vertical by a raising device, not illustrated. As a result, the up-down direction of the substrate  10  is changed, the XF corresponding side of the substrate  10  becomes upside, and the XR corresponding side of the substrate  10  becomes downside. Therefore, the direction of gravity acting on the substrate  10  changes, and the substrate  10  is shifted by its own weight. However, since the two sample-supporting members  61  and  62  are provided on the lower side of the substrate  10 , the substrate  10  is prevented from falling. Here, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the two sample-supporting members  61  and  62  are located at different heights when the orientation of the substrate  10  becomes vertical. In addition, the sample-supporting member  60  provided near the YR corresponding side of the substrate  10  is located at a position outside the YR corresponding side, and the sample-supporting member  60  is separated from the side of the substrate  10  when the orientation of the substrate holder  3  is horizontal. Therefore, when the orientation of the substrate holder  3  is changed from horizontal to vertical, the substrate  10  moves downward and turns around the sample-supporting member  62  acting as a fulcrum. As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the orientation of the substrate  10  is inclined as a whole. In addition, since each of the sample-supporting members  61  and  62  is a flat countersunk head screws and the inner surface of the head  70  is tapered, the end of the substrate  10  is engaged with the inside of the head  70  of the screw as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Therefore, the substrate  10  is prevented from moving in the direction separating from the substrate holder  3 . That is, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , each of the sample-supporting members  61  and  62  has a section raised upward in the up-down direction and provided outside (in the direction separating from the predetermined sample-mounting region  50 ) the section in contact with the substrate  10 . Therefore, the substrate  10  is less likely to be separated from the substrate holder  3 . 
         [0086]    In this state, the substrate holder  3  is carried into the CVD device, and an amorphous semiconductor film or the like is formed. After film formation, the substrate holder  3  is taken out from the CVD device, and is again placed in the horizontal orientation. Then, the substrate  10  is detached from the substrate holder  3 , and is fed to a device used in the next process by the sample transfer system  1  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Hereinafter, this process will be described. 
         [0087]    The substrate holder  3  is taken out from the CVD device, and is placed again in the horizontal orientation. The orientation of the substrate  10  remains inclined as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . In addition, the side of the substrate  10  is engaged with the insides of the heads  70  of the flat countersunk head screws, which are the sample-supporting members  61  and  62 . Therefore, when the substrate  10  is pulled straight up, the side of the substrate  10  is caught by the head  70  of the screw, and the substrate  10  is damaged. 
         [0088]    In contrast, the sample-holding device  20  adopted in one or more embodiments of the present invention executes specific operation and disengages the substrate  10  from the sample-supporting members  61  and  62 . That is, the travelling motor of the travelling, lifting, and lowering device  22  is driven, the sample-holding device  20  is moved in the Y direction, and the sample-holding device  20  is moved to the position right above the substrate  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Note that at that time, the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  have been moved in advance in directions separating from each other as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . That is, the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  have been moved in advance such that the contact pins are separated most from the sides where the contact pins are provided. Then, the lifting and lowering motor of the travelling, lifting, and lowering device  22  is driven to lower the sample-holding device  20  and the main body  30  of the sample-holding device  20  is placed over the substrate  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . That is, the sample-holding surface  47  of the sample-holding device  20  faces the substrate  10 . However, since the orientation of the substrate  10  is inclined and the substrate  10  is shifted toward the sample-supporting members  61  and  62 , the sample-holding surface  47  is not face-to-face with the substrate  10  ( FIG. 15A ). 
         [0089]    Here, the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  are extended from the peripheral part of the main body  30 , and the recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  are provided in the substrate holder  3  correspondingly to the positions of the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36 . Therefore, the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  enter the corresponding recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56 . Therefore, the heights of the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  are offset by the depths of the recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56 , and the sample-holding surface  47  of the sample-holding device  20  can be brought immediately close to the substrate  10 . 
         [0090]    In one or more embodiments of the present invention, in this state, each of the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  is moved horizontally in the direction toward the side where the contact pin is provided. Note that in one or more embodiments of the present invention, since the recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  are slots and are long in the movement directions of the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36 , respectively, the front ends of the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  can move horizontally in the recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56 , respectively. Therefore, each of the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  moves horizontally without trouble. 
         [0091]    As a result, the side of the substrate  10  is pressed by the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  as indicated by arrows illustrated in  FIG. 15A , the substrate  10  horizontally moves and rotatably moves as illustrated in  FIG. 15A , and the substrate  10  is disengaged from the sample-supporting members  61  and  62 . In addition, the orientation of the substrate  10  is corrected from the inclined orientation to a straight orientation. That is, the inclined orientation of the substrate  10  is corrected to be straight, and the sides of the substrate  10  are parallel to the side  72  or  73  of the substrate holder  3 . Therefore, the orientation of the plane of the substrate  10  matches the orientation of the plane of the sample-holding surface  47  of the sample-holding device  20 . That is, the sides of the sample-holding device  20  are parallel to the sides of the substrate  10 . Then, air is fed to the air introduction pipe  46  as indicated by an arrow illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a space  75  between the sample-holding surface  47  and the substrate  10  is ventilated, and the pressure in the space  75  is made negative. As a result, the substrate  10  is sucked toward the sample-holding surface  47  as illustrated in  FIG. 12B . Note that in reality, there is a gap where air passes through between the sample-holding surface  47  and the substrate  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 12B , and the sample-holding surface  47  and the substrate  10  are not in contact with each other. However, for the sake of drawing and description, in  FIG. 12A , which is an entire view, the sample-holding surface  47  and the substrate  10  are illustrated to be in contact with each other. The same applies to  FIGS. 13A and 13B . 
         [0092]    After that, the lifting and lowering motor of the travelling, lifting, and lowering device  22  is driven and the sample-holding device  20  is lifted upward. Furthermore, the travelling motor of the travelling, lifting, and lowering device  22  is driven and the sample-holding device  20  is moved horizontally, and the substrate  10  is conveyed to a desired position. Here, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, since the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36  are located around the sample-holding surface  47  and the side surfaces of the substrate is loosely held by the contact pins  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  36 , the substrate  10  will not move in the planar direction during transfer. 
         [0093]    Next, a solar cell  100  manufactured by a manufacturing method according to one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. 
         [0094]    The solar cell  100  is a crystalline silicon solar cell including a crystalline silicon substrate as a support substrate. Specifically, the solar cell  100  is a heterojunction crystalline silicon solar cell (hereinafter also referred to as “heterojunction solar cell”). As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the solar cell  100  includes a collector electrode  105  on one main surface (first main surface) of a photoelectric conversion substrate  102 . In addition, the solar cell  100  includes a rear-surface electrode layer  106  on the other main surface (second main surface) of the photoelectric conversion substrate  102 . 
         [0095]    The photoelectric conversion substrate  102  is a photoelectric conversion unit which can convert light energy into electrical energy, and is a plate-shaped substrate extending in a plane. The photoelectric conversion substrate  102  is formed by laminating a plurality of layers on both surfaces of a crystalline silicon substrate  110 , and includes a PIN junction or a PN junction as a whole. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , in the photoelectric conversion substrate  102 , an i-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  111 , a p-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  112 , and a first transparent electrode layer  113  (transparent conductive oxide layer) are laminated on one main surface (surface on the light incident side) of the n-type single-crystalline silicon substrate  110 . In addition, in the photoelectric conversion substrate  102 , an i-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  115 , an n-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  116 , and a second transparent electrode layer  117  are laminated on the other main surface (surface on the rear side) of the n-type single-crystalline silicon substrate  110 . 
         [0096]    As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , in the photoelectric conversion substrate  102 , texture structures are formed on both surfaces of the n-type single-crystalline silicon substrate  110 . The texture structures are reflected on the outer layers, and the texture structures are formed on both surfaces of the photoelectric conversion substrate  102  as a whole. 
         [0097]    The n-type single-crystalline silicon substrate  110  is a semiconductor substrate, and is a single-crystalline silicon substrate containing an atom (for example, a phosphorus atom) for introducing an electron into a silicon atom. 
         [0098]    The i-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  111  is a semiconductor layer, and is an intrinsic silicon layer to which an impurity such as phosphorus or boron is not added. For example, an i-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer made of silicon and hydrogen can be adopted. 
         [0099]    The i-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  115  is a semiconductor layer, and is an intrinsic silicon layer to which an impurity such as phosphorus or boron is not added. For example, an i-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer made of silicon and hydrogen can be adopted. 
         [0100]    The p-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  112  is a semiconductor layer, and is a silicon layer containing an atom (for example, a boron atom) for introducing a hole into a silicon atom. For example, a p-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer, a p-type amorphous silicon carbide layer, or a p-type amorphous silicon oxide layer can be adopted. 
         [0101]    The n-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  116  is a semiconductor layer, and is a silicon layer containing an atom (for example, a phosphorus atom) for introducing an electron into a silicon atom. For example, an n-type amorphous silicon layer can be adopted. 
         [0102]    The first transparent electrode layer  113  is a transparent conductive film, and is a layer having light-transmissivity and conductivity. The constituent material of the first transparent electrode layer  113  is not particularly limited as long as the constituent material has light-transmissivity and conductivity. For example, the first transparent electrode layer  113  is made of a transparent conductive oxide such as an indium tin oxide (ITO), an indium zinc oxide (IZO), a tin oxide (SnO 2 ), or a zinc oxide (ZnO). Note that the first transparent electrode layer  113  may be obtained by adding a dopant to the above-described transparent conductive oxide. 
         [0103]    The second transparent electrode layer  117  is a transparent conductive film, and is a layer having light-transmissivity and conductivity. The second transparent electrode layer  117  is not particularly limited as long as the constituent material has light-transmissivity and conductivity. For example, the second transparent electrode layer  117  is made of a transparent conductive oxide such as an indium tin oxide (ITO), an indium zinc oxide (IZO), a tin oxide (SnO 2 ), or a zinc oxide (ZnO). Note that the second transparent electrode layer  117  may be obtained by adding a dopant to the above-described transparent conductive oxide. 
         [0104]    Subsequently, an outline of a manufacturing method for the solar cell  100  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described. The solar cell  100  is manufactured by using a sputtering device, a CVD device, a plating device and the like, not illustrated. The sample transfer system  1  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is utilized when a substrate, which is a sample, is transferred between the devices. In a process not illustrated, the n-type single-crystalline silicon substrate  110  on which the texture structure is formed (hereinafter referred to as a solar cell substrate  101  in-process, including the processed n-type single-crystalline silicon substrate  110  and a laminate body on the n-type single-crystalline silicon substrate  110 ) is manufactured. Then, the solar cell substrate  101  in-process is held by the sample-holding device  20  of the sample transfer system  1  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, and the solar cell substrate  101  in-process is equipped on the CVD device, not illustrated, directly or by using another transfer device in combination. That is, a substrate holding process of holding the solar cell substrate  101  in-process by the sample-holding device  20  is included in the manufacturing processes. 
         [0105]    Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 17A , the silicon-based thin films  111 ,  112 ,  115 , and  116  are formed on the front and rear surfaces of the n-type single-crystalline silicon substrate  110  by a plasma CVD method. That is, the i-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  111  and the p-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  112  are formed on one main surface of the n-type single-crystalline silicon substrate  110 , and the i-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  115  and the n-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  116  are formed on the other main surface (silicon layer formation process). 
         [0106]    Then, when the silicon-based thin films  111 ,  112 ,  115 , and  116  have been formed on the n-type single-crystalline silicon substrate  110 , the solar cell substrate  101  in-process is transferred to the sputtering device. Also in this case, the solar cell substrate  101  in-process is held by the sample-holding device  20  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, and is equipped on the sputtering device, not illustrated, directly or by using another transfer device in combination. In the sputtering device, the transparent electrode layers  113  and  117  are formed on the front and rear surfaces of the solar cell substrate  101  in-process, respectively, as illustrated in  FIG. 17B . That is, the first transparent electrode layer  113  is formed on the p-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  112  of the photoelectric conversion substrate  102 , and the second transparent electrode layer  117  is formed on the n-type amorphous silicon-based thin film  116  of the solar cell substrate  101  in-process (transparent electrode layer formation process). 
         [0107]    Then, the solar cell substrate  101  in-process is transferred from the sputtering device to a printing device. Also in this case, the substrate holding process of holding the solar cell substrate  101  in-process by the sample-holding device  20  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is performed. Then, in the printing device, a base electrode layer  107  is formed by a screen printing method on the surface of the solar cell substrate  101  in-process as illustrated in  FIG. 17C . Then, an insulating layer, not illustrated, is provided on the solar cell substrate  101  in-process (an opening exists on the base electrode layer), a plating layer is formed on the base electrode layer, and the collector electrode  105  is formed. Note that as the collector electrode and the rear-surface electrode layer, paste may be printed or a plating layer may be formed by a plating method. For example, as the collector electrode, a plating layer may be formed after formation of the base electrode layer  107 . In that case, the holding device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention may be used since deposition of plating on a non-desired spot can be suppressed. In  FIG. 16 , the rear-surface electrode layer is formed on the entire rear surface; however, the rear-surface electrode layer may be patterned similarly to the collector electrode on the front surface side. 
         [0108]    As described above, the sample transfer system  1  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is used when the solar cell substrate  101  in-process is moved; however, a system having another structure may also be used in combination. However, it is possible to use the sample transfer system  1  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention immediately before forming the transparent electrode layers  113  and  117  by a sputtering method. That is, the silicon-based thin films  111 ,  112 ,  115 , and  116  are formed on the n-type single-crystalline silicon substrate  110 . Judging from the experience, it is possible to use the sample transfer system  1  when the solar cell substrate  101  in-process in this state is held. 
         [0109]    In addition, it is possible to use the sample-holding device  1  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention also when the solar cell substrate  101  in-process is moved after the transparent electrode layers  113  and  117  are formed. In particular, in the heterojunction solar cell, the silicon substrate  110  and the silicon-based thin films  111 ,  112 ,  115 , and  116  are generally sensitive and likely to be damaged. When the silicon substrate  110  and silicon-based thin films  111 ,  112 ,  115 , and  116  are damaged, failure may occur in a case where plating or the like is applied subsequently. Therefore, it is possible to use the sample-holding device  1  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. In addition, since the heterojunction solar cell generally includes the transparent electrode layers  113  and  117 , and each of the transparent electrode layers  113  and  117  is as thin as about 10 to 140 nm, the transparent electrode layers  113  and  117  are also likely to be damaged. Due to the above-described reason, it is recommended to use the sample-holding device  1  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention also when the solar cell substrate  101  in-process is moved after the transparent electrode layers  113  and  117  are formed. 
         [0110]    In the above-described manufacturing method, the base electrode layer  107  is provided on the first transparent electrode layer  113 , and the plating layer is formed on the base electrode layer  107 ; however, the plating layer may be provided directly on the first transparent electrode layer  113 . In addition, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, a description has been given of a mode where the collector electrode provided on the light-receiving surface side. However, the collector electrode may not be provided on the light-receiving surface side and only the back-surface electrode layer may be provided on the light-receiving surface side. 
         [0111]    The above-described embodiment is for manufacturing a heterojunction crystalline silicon solar cell; however, one or more embodiments of the present invention can be adopted in a case of manufacturing a solar cell other than the heterojunction crystalline silicon solar cell. That is, one or more embodiments of the present invention are especially effective in a case where a crystalline silicon substrate is used as a sample, and can be used in a case where a normal diffusion-type crystalline silicon or the like is used. In that case, since an amorphous layer is not formed by CVD, the CVD device may be provided or may not be provided (the CVD device is used in a case of a heterojunction solar cell). In addition, the transparent electrode layers  113  and  117  are not limited to those formed by the sputtering method, and can also be formed by an ion plating method. The collector electrode is not limited to one formed by printing and plating. The collector electrode can be formed by one of printing and plating, or can be formed by the sputtering method. 
         [0112]    In the above-described embodiment, the pin circular in cross-section is used as an example of the contact member; however, the cross-sectional shape of the pin is not necessarily circular and may also be angular. In addition, the contact member may be a plate-like member. In the above-described embodiment, the main body  30  of the sample-holding device  20  is a quadrangle; however, the main body  30  may be a polygon other than the quadrangle. In addition, the main body  30  may be circular. 
         [0113]    In the above-described embodiment, the flat countersunk head screw is adopted as the sample-supporting member; however, the sample-supporting member may not be a flat countersunk head screw. In the above-described embodiment, the process is adopted where the substrate (sample)  10  is mounted on the substrate holder (sample-mounting member)  3  in a state where the substrate holder  3  is placed in the horizontal orientation, and then, the orientation of the substrate holder  3  is changed into vertical, and after that the orientation of the substrate holder  3  is returned to horizontal. However, the process of changing the orientation of the substrate holder  3  is not essential. That is, the substrate  10  may be mounted on the substrate holder  3  in a state where the substrate holder  3  is placed in the horizontal orientation, and the substrate holder  3  may be conveyed to another device as it is. 
         [0114]    In a case where the orientation of the substrate holder  3  is not changed during the process, the sample-supporting member  60  is not necessarily provided on the substrate holder  3 . However, for example, in a case where the substrate  10  is mounted on the substrate holder  3  and the substrate holder  3  is conveyed as it is to the CVD device or the sputtering device, examples of a mechanism for conveying the substrate into the device include roller conveyance driven by a motor and conveyance performed by a robot arm. During conveyance performed by such a conveyance mechanism, there is a concern that the position or the orientation of the substrate  10  changes due to vibration in the vertical direction or an inertial force in the horizontal direction when the substrate  10  is transferred between adjacent rollers or when the motor is accelerated or decelerated. In such a case, in order to maintain the orientation and the position of the substrate  10 , it is possible to provide a positioning member  65  similar to the sample-supporting member  60 . In addition, the positioning member  65  may be a flat countersunk head screw having an inclination toward inside as illustrated in the above-described embodiment. That is, when a head  70  has an inverted tapered shape as in a flat countersunk head screw, the side of the substrate  10  is engaged with the head  70 , and floating of the substrate  10  can be prevented. In addition, since the head  70  is flat, an abnormal discharge is less likely to occur, and a uniform plasma discharge is generated. The positioning member may be a cone-shaped member or a circular flat-shaped member. When a cone-shaped positioning member  65  is used, the substrate  10  is in the most stable orientation when the substrate  10  is in contact with the substrate holder  3 . 
         [0115]    A washer-like positioning member is assumed as an example of the circular flat-shaped positioning member. For example, it is considered that circular flat-shaped plates different in diameter are prepared, the circular flat-shaped plates are stuck together to form a stepped shape and to form a shape close to an inverted tapered shape, and the obtained member is used as the positioning member. That is, a circular flat-shaped object smaller in diameter is arranged on the substrate holder  3  and a circular flat-shaped object greater in diameter is arranged on the distant direction from the substrate holder  3  to form a stepped part. 
         [0116]    In a case where the orientation of the substrate holder  3  is not changed during the process, the positioning member does not need to be configured to support the lower side of the substrate  10  as illustrated in the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the positioning members  65  may be brought into contact with or in proximity to the four sides of the substrate  10  as illustrate in  FIG. 18 . In addition, the positions of the two sample-supporting members  61  and  62  are shifted from each other since the orientation of the substrate holder  3  is changed to vertical and it is necessary to incline the substrate  10  at that time. However, when the substrate holder  3  is moved to another device in a state where the orientation of the substrate holder  3  is maintained to be horizontal, it is not necessary to shift the positions of the positioning members  65  from each other. Note that each of the sample-supporting members  60 ,  61 , and  63  in  FIG. 5  also has the function of the positioning member  65 . 
         [0117]    In one or more embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the contact pins  31  and  34  provided at positions facing each other in the adjacent sample-holding devices  20 , the contact pins  31  and  34  belonging to the adjacent sample-holding devices  20 , are in a staggered positional relation. The same applies to the substrate holder  3 , and two of the recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  provided at positions facing each other, the two of the recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  corresponding to the adjacent predetermined sample-mounting regions  50 , are in a staggered positional relation. According to this configuration, the substrate holder  3  can mount more substrates  10 , and therefore this configuration is recommended. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration and the contact pins  31  and  34  provided at positions facing each other in the adjacent sample-holding devices  20 , the contact pins  31  and  34  belonging to the adjacent sample-holding devices  20 , may be arranged on a straight line. The same applies to the substrate holder  3 , and two of the recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  provided at positions facing each other, the two of the recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  corresponding to the adjacent predetermined sample-mounting regions  50 , may be arranged on a straight line. Furthermore, with respect to the recessed parts, two of the recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56  which are provided at positions facing each other may be connected to each other to form one long recessed part. 
         [0118]    In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the planar shape of each of the recessed parts  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56  is oval; however, the planar shape of the recessed part is arbitrary. For example, the planar shape of the recessed part may be an exact circle, a quadrangle, or the like, having the size large enough for the contact pin  31  or the like to move inside. In addition, the recessed part may be a shape annularly surrounding the predetermined sample-mounting region  50 . Furthermore, the predetermined sample-mounting region  50  may be raised. As a result, the portion around the predetermined sample-mounting region  50  becomes lower than the predetermined sample-mounting region  50 , and thus the recessed part is formed. 
         [0119]    In addition, the sample-mounting member is not limited to the substrate holder  3 , and may be part of another device. 
         [0120]    Although the disclosure has been described with respect to only a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that various other embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be limited only by the attached claims. 
       EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0121]      1 : sample transfer system 
         [0122]      3 : substrate holder (sample-mounting member) 
         [0123]      5 : sample-moving device 
         [0124]      10 : substrate (sample) 
         [0125]      20 : sample-holding device 
         [0126]      21 : holding device group 
         [0127]      31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 : contact pin (contact member) 
         [0128]      41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 : movement mechanism 
         [0129]      47 : sample-holding surface 
         [0130]      50 : predetermined sample-mounting region 
         [0131]      51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 : recessed part 
         [0132]      60 ,  61 ,  62 : sample-supporting member 
         [0133]      65 : positioning member