Patent ID: 8236601

Claim:
A method for forming a transparent conductive oxide layer on a substrate, the method comprising: sputtering a transparent conductive oxide layer on a substrate from a target, wherein the target comprises cadmium stannate, and wherein the transparent conductive oxide layer is sputtered at a sputtering temperature of about 10° C. to about 100° C.; depositing a cap material onto an outer surface of an indirect anneal system, wherein the cap material comprises cadmium, and wherein the indirect anneal system comprises a continuous loop such that the outer surface defines a deposition surface when facing the target, wherein the cap material is deposited onto the deposition surface; and, annealing the transparent conductive oxide layer at an anneal temperature of about 500° C. to about 700° C. while in direct contact with the cap material deposited on the outer surface of the indirect anneal system, wherein the continuous loop has a tension configured to allow the cap material on the outer surface to directly contact the transparent conductive oxide layer during annealing.