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Silicon web process developmentA barrier crucible design which consistently maintains melt stability over long periods of time was successfully tested and used in long growth runs. The pellet feeder for melt replenishment was operated continuously for growth runs of up to 17 hours. The liquid level sensor comprising a laser/sensor system was operated, performed well, and meets the requirements for maintaining liquid level height during growth and melt replenishment. An automated feedback loop connecting the feed mechanism and the liquid level sensing system was designed and constructed and operated successfully for 3.5 hours demonstrating the feasibility of semi-automated dendritic web growth. The sensitivity of the cost of sheet, to variations in capital equipment cost and recycling dendrites was calculated and it was shown that these factors have relatively little impact on sheet cost. Dendrites from web which had gone all the way through the solar cell fabrication process, when melted and grown into web, produce crystals which show no degradation in cell efficiency. Material quality remains high and cells made from web grown at the start, during, and the end of a run from a replenished melt show comparable efficiencies.
Document ID
19800020363
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Duncan, C. S. (Westinghouse Research and Development Center Pittsburgh, PA, United States)
Seidensticker, R. G. (Westinghouse Research and Development Center Pittsburgh, PA, United States)
Mchugh, J. P. (Westinghouse Research and Development Center Pittsburgh, PA, United States)
Hill, F. E. (Westinghouse Research and Development Center Pittsburgh, PA, United States)
Skutch, M. E. (Westinghouse Research and Development Center Pittsburgh, PA, United States)
Driggers, J. M. (Westinghouse Research and Development Center Pittsburgh, PA, United States)
Hopkins, R. H. (Westinghouse Research and Development Center Pittsburgh, PA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 4, 2013
Publication Date
June 30, 1980
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-163386
JPL-9950-378
DOE/JPL-954654-80/11
Accession Number
80N28864
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: JPL-954654
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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