Method for alkali doping of thin film photovoltaic materials

Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Processes and products – Coating – forming or etching by sputtering

Reexamination Certificate

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C204S192150, C136S243000, C136S252000, C136S262000, C136S263000, C136S264000, C136S265000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07897020

ABSTRACT:
A method of manufacturing a solar cell includes providing a substrate, depositing a first electrode comprising an alkali-containing transition metal layer over the substrate, depositing at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer over the first electrode, wherein the p-type semiconductor absorber layer includes a copper indium selenide (CIS) based alloy material, depositing an n-type semiconductor layer over the p-type semiconductor absorber layer, and depositing a second electrode over the n-type semiconductor layer. The step of depositing the alkali-containing transition metal layer includes sputtering from a first target comprising the transition metal and a second target comprising the alkali metal, where a composition of the first target is different from a composition of the second target.

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