Advancing High-Efficiency Silicon Solar Cells with the Inkjet Printing of Polysilicon Passivating Contacts: Insights from SIMS Analysis
In the recent webinar, "Advancing High-Efficiency Silicon Solar Cells through Inkjet Printing of Polysilicon Passivating Contacts: Insights from SIMS Analysis," Sieu Pheng Phang, Ph.D., outlines the criticality of solar photovoltaics (PV) in the global fight against climate change, delving into the potential solutions of PV technology— with a critical focus on the inkjet printing of polysilicon passivating contacts to enable high-efficiency solar cells.
Australian National University (ANU) scientists Jiali Wang, Sieu Pheng Phang, Thien Truong, Josua Stuckelberger, and Daniel Macdonald developed the use of inkjet printing for maskless localized doping of both n-type and p-type polysilicon passivating contacts (minimum feature sizes ≈ 60 µm), offering a pathway to economically produce advanced high-efficiency silicon solar cells.
While micro-photoluminescence techniques have enabled confirmation of the effective surface passivation of the printed regions, D- SIMS (dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry) via the CAMECA IMS 7f-Auto is uniquely capable of delivering high spatial resolution, depth profiling of the dopant atoms within the silicon solar cell passivating contacts.
In particular, the chemical mapping of both boron and phosphorus with SIMS has been instrumental in detecting and quantifying any instances of cross-doping, where dopant atoms migrate or diffuse across unintended regions of the solar cell, which can have detrimental effects on cell performance.
At the outset of the webinar, Dr. Phang sounds an urgent call to action, emphasizing the dire situation outlined in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) synthesis report, which highlights the palpable impact of climate change resulting in widespread repercussions for both nature and humanity. Dr. Phang emphasizes the pivotal role of solar (PV), particularly when combined with other renewable energies, as one of the most potent and cost-effective measures to mitigate climate change impacts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr. Phang notes that the steady annual increase in cell conversion efficiency over the last decade is akin to Moore's Law in computing. He shares technological advancements in cell structures, acknowledging the cycles of improvement various cell structures have undergone.
The bulk of the webinar focuses on the applications of D-SIMS in PV technology, particularly in studying the effects of hydrogen content and the scattering mechanisms of polysilicon. He showcases the capability of SIMS to identify contamination species and study degradation mechanisms in different types of solar cells, including perovskite and tandem devices. Dr. Phang continues with his key focus on the role of inkjet printing in solar cell technology, specifically in localized doping and pattern creation. He highlights the potential for inkjet printing to enable localized doping and eliminate post-patterning steps. He also defines the challenges and promising outcomes of inkjet printing for dopant materials, demonstrating both successes and ongoing efforts to address cross-contamination issues.
In-situ microanalytical instrumentation such as D-SIMS is instrumental in monitoring localized doping and advancing this promising technology.
Altogether, Dr. Phang establishes that the role of solar PV in mitigating climate change is indispensable — and the technological advancements enabled by inkjet printing technology, as evidenced by SIMS analysis, will drive it to greater efficiencies and success.
View the complete webinar, with detailed analysis and discussion now: "Advancing High-Efficiency Silicon Solar Cells through Inkjet Printing of Polysilicon Passivating Contacts: Insights from SIMS Analysis."
About Dr. Sieu Pheng Phang
Dr. Sieu Pheng Phang earned his Ph.D. from the Australian National University in 2014. Since then, he has gained broad expertise in silicon photovoltaics. Among others, he has been engaged in the technology transfer of polysilicon passivating contacts, bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial implementation. He presently focuses on R&D of fully passivating contact silicon solar cells. Dr. Phang's research interests encompass the characterization and simulation of high-efficiency silicon solar cells, developing perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, and integrating high-transparency polysilicon passivating contacts into advanced solar cell technologies.