Course content

The course is offered every alternate year, next time will be Spring 2021. The course will give a performance of the different structure elements of solar cells (contacts, doping, pn-junctions, etc.).
Directional solidification and growth process.
Precipitation and the effect of precipitates on material properties.
Characterization of silicon wafers:
- Preparation of wafers (polishing, etching, etc.).
- Grain boundaries, grain size and grain orientations (SEM, EBSD. etc.).
- Dislocation density measurements (Optical, PVScan).
- Resistivity/life time measurements.
- Chemical analysis (SEM, GDMS, FTIR)
- Inclusions (Infrared microscopy, dissolution).
Effect of microstructures on the effeciency of solar cells.

Learning outcome

Understand and use theories for basic principles of photovoltaic effects. Use central instruments in characterizing silicon for solar cells. Knowledge of the formation of various microstructural features and how they effect the solar cell efficiency.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, colloquiums and laboratory exercises. Semester assignment.

Compulsory assignments

• 5 godkjente øvinger

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

General knowledge of materials science and semiconductors technology. Some general skills on metallographical characterization/materials microstructure.

Required previous knowledge

Materials Technology 1 and 2 (TMT4170 og TMT4175) or comparable topics.
Light- and Electron Microscopy (TMT4300).

Course materials

Martin A.Green: Solar cells. Operating Principles, Technology and System Applications; Jenny Nelson: The Physics of Solar Cells; A.Marti and A.Luque: Next generation photovoltaics – High Efficiency through Full Spectrum Utilization; A.Luque and S.Hegedus: Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering.