Arc plasma assisted purification of metallic silicon for solar cells: numerical modeling and real time process monitoring

POSTER

Abstract

For achieving the grid parity in solar cell business, cheaper materials and processing technology are necessary. Thin film solar cell could be a strong candidate. Ribbon type polycrystalline solar cell may be a low cost solution with much simpler equipments: melting and specialized casting devices. For further reduction of the manufacturing cost, device grade of silicon starting material (99.99999\%) should be replaced with cheaper substitute without degrading the solar conversion efficiency. To reduce the complicated chloride based purification steps, simple vacuum arc melting and purification are considered. It is using small amount of reactive gases (hydrogen or water vapor) under certain plasma conditions to remove B and P through formation of highly volatile oxides and hydrides. Due to the low electrical conductivity of metallic grade silicon, non-transferrable arc operation mode was selected. We used 3D CFD based numerical modeling to optimize the process conditions; arc to silicon pool distance, plasma power input and reactive gas mixing ratio. As a real time monitoring technique, QMS and OES were used to detect any volatile species related with impurities during melting and purification steps.

Authors

  • Tug Yasar

    Theoretical Electrical Engineering, Ruhr-Universit\"at Bochum, Tokyo Electron AT LTD, Ruhr University Bochum, Pusan National University, Department of Electronic Engineering, Tohoku University, GE Historian, TET, AEPT, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Korean Institute of Energy Research, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunsan National University, University of California at Berkeley, Dept. of Chemistry, Ajou University, GE Global Reseach, Niskayuna, US, TRINITI, Troizck, Russia, Kintech Lab, Moscow, Russia, HanYang University, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Institute for Theoretical Electrical Engineering, Ruhr University Bochum, Chubu University, NEC Corporation, Nagoya University, Universit\'e Paris-Sud, Dong-A University, Saga University, University of Ryukyus, Sasebo National College of Technology, Faculty of Stomatology, Belgrade, Serbia, Institute of Physics, Belgrade, Serbia, Seagate Technology, NIBEC, LPP, Ecole Polytechnique, France, State University, Saint-Petersburg, LPP, Ecole Polytechnique, Dept. of Physics, California State University, Fullerton, CA, Institute of High Performance Computing, Singapore, Dept. of Physics, UAE University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Dept. of Physics, Missouri University of Sci. \& Tech., Rolla, MO, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, University of Adelaide, Australia, Missouri University of Science and Technology, M.M.H. College, Ghaziabad, The Open University, University of Kentucky, Department of Applied Physics, Hanyang University, Ansan, Kyunggi-Do 426-791, South Korea, Hiden Analytical Ltd, Warrington, UK, Queens University Belfast, UK, University of Nevada, Reno,USA, Stalder Technologies and Research, Redwood City, USA, Queen's University Belfast, Loras College, Auburn University, LBNL, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Newcastle-Ourimbah, Pacific Union College, University of Manchester (UK), Los Alamos National Laboratory, IMEC, Leuven, Belgium, Nuclear Physics Institute, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, Kintech Lab Ltd, Tokyo Electron Ltd., Kyoto University, Zeon Corporation, CAMS, University of Adelaide, South Australia, University of North Texas, Denton, CAMS, Australian National University, Canberra, Drake University, University of Western Australia, Fraunhofer Institute IVV Freising, Ruhr-University Bochum, University of California, San Diego, CAMS, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Univ. Groningen, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, Surfx Technologies, Cymer, Inc., Department of Physics, Florida A\&M University, Dept. of Physics, UAE University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab, Dept. of Physics, Missouri University of Science \& Technology, Rolla, Mo, Institute for Plasma and Atomic Physics, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany, Faculty of Physics, Sofia University, 5, J. Bourchier Blvd., BG-1164 Sofia, Bulgaria, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, RRC Kurchatov Inst., Moscow, Russia, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan, Macquarie University, University of Windsor, Mattson Technology Inc, Plasma Dynamics, RF Plasma Consulting, James Cook University Townsville, Institute of Physics Belgrade, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ, USA, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Kyoto University, GE Global Reseach, Niskayuna,US, IPFN - IST, Portugal, St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Texas A\&M Mechanical Engineering, B \& W Group Ltd, UK, Belgrade, Institute of Physics, NIBEC University of Ulster, Dep. Fis/UCO, Cordoba, Spain, IPFN/IST, Lisbon, Portugal, ICMSE/CSIC, Sevilla, Spain, St. Petersburg State University, Russia, LPGP/UPS, Orsay, France, Seoul National University, Daehak-dong, Kwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea, Hanyang University, Plasmetrex GmbH Berlin, LATMOS/UVSQ, Verrieres le Buisson, France, Hungarian Academy for Science, Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Global Strategies Group (North America), Sandia National Laboratories, Lebedev Physics Institute, Moscow, Department of Physics, Kurdistan region, Duhok University, Iraq, SPbSU, AFRL, Instituto de Ciencias Fisicas, UNAM, UES Inc., 4401 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek, OH 45322, USA, Seoul National University, Samsung Electronics Co., University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Queen`s University Belfast, GE Research Laboratory, US, TRINITI, Troitsk, Russia, Dept. of Math \& Physics, Troy University, CPP Queens University Belfast, Department of Electrical Engineering, Hanyang University, Nagoya University, JST-CREST, NIST, Katagiri Engineering Co., Ltd., NU System Co., Ltd., Meijo University, Wakayama University, NU EcoEngineering Co., Ltd., University of Kansas, Princeton University, The von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Institute of Physics, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, VSEA, Center for Atomic and Molecular Technologies, Osaka University, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Tokyo Electron, US. Holdings

  • Tug Yasar

    Theoretical Electrical Engineering, Ruhr-Universit\"at Bochum, Tokyo Electron AT LTD, Ruhr University Bochum, Pusan National University, Department of Electronic Engineering, Tohoku University, GE Historian, TET, AEPT, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Korean Institute of Energy Research, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunsan National University, University of California at Berkeley, Dept. of Chemistry, Ajou University, GE Global Reseach, Niskayuna, US, TRINITI, Troizck, Russia, Kintech Lab, Moscow, Russia, HanYang University, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Institute for Theoretical Electrical Engineering, Ruhr University Bochum, Chubu University, NEC Corporation, Nagoya University, Universit\'e Paris-Sud, Dong-A University, Saga University, University of Ryukyus, Sasebo National College of Technology, Faculty of Stomatology, Belgrade, Serbia, Institute of Physics, Belgrade, Serbia, Seagate Technology, NIBEC, LPP, Ecole Polytechnique, France, State University, Saint-Petersburg, LPP, Ecole Polytechnique, Dept. of Physics, California State University, Fullerton, CA, Institute of High Performance Computing, Singapore, Dept. of Physics, UAE University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Dept. of Physics, Missouri University of Sci. \& Tech., Rolla, MO, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, University of Adelaide, Australia, Missouri University of Science and Technology, M.M.H. College, Ghaziabad, The Open University, University of Kentucky, Department of Applied Physics, Hanyang University, Ansan, Kyunggi-Do 426-791, South Korea, Hiden Analytical Ltd, Warrington, UK, Queens University Belfast, UK, University of Nevada, Reno,USA, Stalder Technologies and Research, Redwood City, USA, Queen's University Belfast, Loras College, Auburn University, LBNL, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Newcastle-Ourimbah, Pacific Union College, University of Manchester (UK), Los Alamos National Laboratory, IMEC, Leuven, Belgium, Nuclear Physics Institute, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, Kintech Lab Ltd, Tokyo Electron Ltd., Kyoto University, Zeon Corporation, CAMS, University of Adelaide, South Australia, University of North Texas, Denton, CAMS, Australian National University, Canberra, Drake University, University of Western Australia, Fraunhofer Institute IVV Freising, Ruhr-University Bochum, University of California, San Diego, CAMS, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Univ. Groningen, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, Surfx Technologies, Cymer, Inc., Department of Physics, Florida A\&M University, Dept. of Physics, UAE University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab, Dept. of Physics, Missouri University of Science \& Technology, Rolla, Mo, Institute for Plasma and Atomic Physics, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany, Faculty of Physics, Sofia University, 5, J. Bourchier Blvd., BG-1164 Sofia, Bulgaria, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, RRC Kurchatov Inst., Moscow, Russia, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan, Macquarie University, University of Windsor, Mattson Technology Inc, Plasma Dynamics, RF Plasma Consulting, James Cook University Townsville, Institute of Physics Belgrade, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ, USA, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Kyoto University, GE Global Reseach, Niskayuna,US, IPFN - IST, Portugal, St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Texas A\&M Mechanical Engineering, B \& W Group Ltd, UK, Belgrade, Institute of Physics, NIBEC University of Ulster, Dep. Fis/UCO, Cordoba, Spain, IPFN/IST, Lisbon, Portugal, ICMSE/CSIC, Sevilla, Spain, St. Petersburg State University, Russia, LPGP/UPS, Orsay, France, Seoul National University, Daehak-dong, Kwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea, Hanyang University, Plasmetrex GmbH Berlin, LATMOS/UVSQ, Verrieres le Buisson, France, Hungarian Academy for Science, Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Global Strategies Group (North America), Sandia National Laboratories, Lebedev Physics Institute, Moscow, Department of Physics, Kurdistan region, Duhok University, Iraq, SPbSU, AFRL, Instituto de Ciencias Fisicas, UNAM, UES Inc., 4401 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek, OH 45322, USA, Seoul National University, Samsung Electronics Co., University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Queen`s University Belfast, GE Research Laboratory, US, TRINITI, Troitsk, Russia, Dept. of Math \& Physics, Troy University, CPP Queens University Belfast, Department of Electrical Engineering, Hanyang University, Nagoya University, JST-CREST, NIST, Katagiri Engineering Co., Ltd., NU System Co., Ltd., Meijo University, Wakayama University, NU EcoEngineering Co., Ltd., University of Kansas, Princeton University, The von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Institute of Physics, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, VSEA, Center for Atomic and Molecular Technologies, Osaka University, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Tokyo Electron, US. Holdings

  • Tug Yasar

    Theoretical Electrical Engineering, Ruhr-Universit\"at Bochum, Tokyo Electron AT LTD, Ruhr University Bochum, Pusan National University, Department of Electronic Engineering, Tohoku University, GE Historian, TET, AEPT, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Korean Institute of Energy Research, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunsan National University, University of California at Berkeley, Dept. of Chemistry, Ajou University, GE Global Reseach, Niskayuna, US, TRINITI, Troizck, Russia, Kintech Lab, Moscow, Russia, HanYang University, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Institute for Theoretical Electrical Engineering, Ruhr University Bochum, Chubu University, NEC Corporation, Nagoya University, Universit\'e Paris-Sud, Dong-A University, Saga University, University of Ryukyus, Sasebo National College of Technology, Faculty of Stomatology, Belgrade, Serbia, Institute of Physics, Belgrade, Serbia, Seagate Technology, NIBEC, LPP, Ecole Polytechnique, France, State University, Saint-Petersburg, LPP, Ecole Polytechnique, Dept. of Physics, California State University, Fullerton, CA, Institute of High Performance Computing, Singapore, Dept. of Physics, UAE University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Dept. of Physics, Missouri University of Sci. \& Tech., Rolla, MO, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, University of Adelaide, Australia, Missouri University of Science and Technology, M.M.H. College, Ghaziabad, The Open University, University of Kentucky, Department of Applied Physics, Hanyang University, Ansan, Kyunggi-Do 426-791, South Korea, Hiden Analytical Ltd, Warrington, UK, Queens University Belfast, UK, University of Nevada, Reno,USA, Stalder Technologies and Research, Redwood City, USA, Queen's University Belfast, Loras College, Auburn University, LBNL, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Newcastle-Ourimbah, Pacific Union College, University of Manchester (UK), Los Alamos National Laboratory, IMEC, Leuven, Belgium, Nuclear Physics Institute, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, Kintech Lab Ltd, Tokyo Electron Ltd., Kyoto University, Zeon Corporation, CAMS, University of Adelaide, South Australia, University of North Texas, Denton, CAMS, Australian National University, Canberra, Drake University, University of Western Australia, Fraunhofer Institute IVV Freising, Ruhr-University Bochum, University of California, San Diego, CAMS, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Univ. Groningen, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, Surfx Technologies, Cymer, Inc., Department of Physics, Florida A\&M University, Dept. of Physics, UAE University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab, Dept. of Physics, Missouri University of Science \& Technology, Rolla, Mo, Institute for Plasma and Atomic Physics, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany, Faculty of Physics, Sofia University, 5, J. Bourchier Blvd., BG-1164 Sofia, Bulgaria, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, RRC Kurchatov Inst., Moscow, Russia, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan, Macquarie University, University of Windsor, Mattson Technology Inc, Plasma Dynamics, RF Plasma Consulting, James Cook University Townsville, Institute of Physics Belgrade, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ, USA, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Kyoto University, GE Global Reseach, Niskayuna,US, IPFN - IST, Portugal, St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Texas A\&M Mechanical Engineering, B \& W Group Ltd, UK, Belgrade, Institute of Physics, NIBEC University of Ulster, Dep. Fis/UCO, Cordoba, Spain, IPFN/IST, Lisbon, Portugal, ICMSE/CSIC, Sevilla, Spain, St. Petersburg State University, Russia, LPGP/UPS, Orsay, France, Seoul National University, Daehak-dong, Kwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea, Hanyang University, Plasmetrex GmbH Berlin, LATMOS/UVSQ, Verrieres le Buisson, France, Hungarian Academy for Science, Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Global Strategies Group (North America), Sandia National Laboratories, Lebedev Physics Institute, Moscow, Department of Physics, Kurdistan region, Duhok University, Iraq, SPbSU, AFRL, Instituto de Ciencias Fisicas, UNAM, UES Inc., 4401 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek, OH 45322, USA, Seoul National University, Samsung Electronics Co., University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Queen`s University Belfast, GE Research Laboratory, US, TRINITI, Troitsk, Russia, Dept. of Math \& Physics, Troy University, CPP Queens University Belfast, Department of Electrical Engineering, Hanyang University, Nagoya University, JST-CREST, NIST, Katagiri Engineering Co., Ltd., NU System Co., Ltd., Meijo University, Wakayama University, NU EcoEngineering Co., Ltd., University of Kansas, Princeton University, The von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Institute of Physics, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, VSEA, Center for Atomic and Molecular Technologies, Osaka University, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Tokyo Electron, US. Holdings

  • Tug Yasar

    Theoretical Electrical Engineering, Ruhr-Universit\"at Bochum, Tokyo Electron AT LTD, Ruhr University Bochum, Pusan National University, Department of Electronic Engineering, Tohoku University, GE Historian, TET, AEPT, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Korean Institute of Energy Research, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunsan National University, University of California at Berkeley, Dept. of Chemistry, Ajou University, GE Global Reseach, Niskayuna, US, TRINITI, Troizck, Russia, Kintech Lab, Moscow, Russia, HanYang University, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Institute for Theoretical Electrical Engineering, Ruhr University Bochum, Chubu University, NEC Corporation, Nagoya University, Universit\'e Paris-Sud, Dong-A University, Saga University, University of Ryukyus, Sasebo National College of Technology, Faculty of Stomatology, Belgrade, Serbia, Institute of Physics, Belgrade, Serbia, Seagate Technology, NIBEC, LPP, Ecole Polytechnique, France, State University, Saint-Petersburg, LPP, Ecole Polytechnique, Dept. of Physics, California State University, Fullerton, CA, Institute of High Performance Computing, Singapore, Dept. of Physics, UAE University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Dept. of Physics, Missouri University of Sci. \& Tech., Rolla, MO, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, University of Adelaide, Australia, Missouri University of Science and Technology, M.M.H. College, Ghaziabad, The Open University, University of Kentucky, Department of Applied Physics, Hanyang University, Ansan, Kyunggi-Do 426-791, South Korea, Hiden Analytical Ltd, Warrington, UK, Queens University Belfast, UK, University of Nevada, Reno,USA, Stalder Technologies and Research, Redwood City, USA, Queen's University Belfast, Loras College, Auburn University, LBNL, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Newcastle-Ourimbah, Pacific Union College, University of Manchester (UK), Los Alamos National Laboratory, IMEC, Leuven, Belgium, Nuclear Physics Institute, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, Kintech Lab Ltd, Tokyo Electron Ltd., Kyoto University, Zeon Corporation, CAMS, University of Adelaide, South Australia, University of North Texas, Denton, CAMS, Australian National University, Canberra, Drake University, University of Western Australia, Fraunhofer Institute IVV Freising, Ruhr-University Bochum, University of California, San Diego, CAMS, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Univ. Groningen, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, Surfx Technologies, Cymer, Inc., Department of Physics, Florida A\&M University, Dept. of Physics, UAE University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab, Dept. of Physics, Missouri University of Science \& Technology, Rolla, Mo, Institute for Plasma and Atomic Physics, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany, Faculty of Physics, Sofia University, 5, J. Bourchier Blvd., BG-1164 Sofia, Bulgaria, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, RRC Kurchatov Inst., Moscow, Russia, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan, Macquarie University, University of Windsor, Mattson Technology Inc, Plasma Dynamics, RF Plasma Consulting, James Cook University Townsville, Institute of Physics Belgrade, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ, USA, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Kyoto University, GE Global Reseach, Niskayuna,US, IPFN - IST, Portugal, St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Texas A\&M Mechanical Engineering, B \& W Group Ltd, UK, Belgrade, Institute of Physics, NIBEC University of Ulster, Dep. Fis/UCO, Cordoba, Spain, IPFN/IST, Lisbon, Portugal, ICMSE/CSIC, Sevilla, Spain, St. Petersburg State University, Russia, LPGP/UPS, Orsay, France, Seoul National University, Daehak-dong, Kwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea, Hanyang University, Plasmetrex GmbH Berlin, LATMOS/UVSQ, Verrieres le Buisson, France, Hungarian Academy for Science, Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Global Strategies Group (North America), Sandia National Laboratories, Lebedev Physics Institute, Moscow, Department of Physics, Kurdistan region, Duhok University, Iraq, SPbSU, AFRL, Instituto de Ciencias Fisicas, UNAM, UES Inc., 4401 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek, OH 45322, USA, Seoul National University, Samsung Electronics Co., University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Queen`s University Belfast, GE Research Laboratory, US, TRINITI, Troitsk, Russia, Dept. of Math \& Physics, Troy University, CPP Queens University Belfast, Department of Electrical Engineering, Hanyang University, Nagoya University, JST-CREST, NIST, Katagiri Engineering Co., Ltd., NU System Co., Ltd., Meijo University, Wakayama University, NU EcoEngineering Co., Ltd., University of Kansas, Princeton University, The von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Institute of Physics, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, VSEA, Center for Atomic and Molecular Technologies, Osaka University, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Tokyo Electron, US. Holdings