USA flag logo/image

An Official Website of the United States Government

Use of Very High Frequency Plasmas to Prepare a-SiGe Alloy Photovoltaic

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Commerce 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
37802 		Program Year/Program:
1997 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
37802 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES, INC.
1675 W. Maple Rd. Troy, MI 48084
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 1997
Title: Use of Very High Frequency Plasmas to Prepare a-SiGe Alloy Photovoltaic
Agency: DOC
Contract: N/A
Award Amount: $50,000.00
 

Abstract:

The program objective is to investigate the feasibility of using a very high frequency (VHF) [70 MHz] plasma technique to produce high efficiency a-SiGe:H solar cells at relatively high deposition rates. Using the VHF technique, high quality a-SiGe:H material is expected due to enhanced low energy ion bombardment of the growing film surface which has been found to be beneficial to the growth of this type of alloy. A group from Neuchatel University have demonstrated that by using the VHF technique, a-Si:H material can be prepared at the high rate of 10 /sec without a deterioration in the electronic properties. Thus, with the expected faster deposition rates and improved a-SiGe:H solar cell efficiencies, application of this technique to ECD's existing roll-to-roll solar cell production process should lead to significant cost savings. For the Phase 1 program, we will produce and characterize a-SiGe:H materials using VHF process. In addition, utilizing ECD's expertise in a-Si technology, we will further advance this technology and fabricate single junction solar cells to demonstrate the advantages of using this technology. In later stages of the program, we will use the VHF technique to develop high efficiency triple junction devices and scale up the process for the commercial production.

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Scott J. Jones
0

Business Contact:


8102801900
Small Business Information at Submission:

Energy Conversion Devices Inc.
1675 West Maple Road Troy, MI 48084

EIN/Tax ID:
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees: N/A
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No