Patent ID: 8609453

Claim:
A method of forming a photovoltaic cell, comprising: forming an intermediate layer on a monocrystalline silicon substrate, wherein the forming the intermediate layer comprises one of depositing and growing the intermediate layer on the substrate; forming a monocrystalline silicon layer on the intermediate layer; forming electrical features in the monocrystalline silicon layer; forming openings in the monocrystalline silicon layer; detaching the monocrystalline silicon layer from the substrate by selectively etching the intermediate layer through the openings; and determining at least one of: (i) a number of the openings, (ii) a size of the openings, and (iii) a spatial orientation of the openings, wherein the determining is based on (a) a thickness of the intermediate layer, (b) a composition of the intermediate layer, and (c) an etch chemistry.