Advanced Silicon - Solar Cells

The course is offered every alternate year, next time will be spring 2027. 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.

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.

Lectures, colloquiums and laboratory exercises. Semester assignment. If there are fewer than three candidates, the course will be taught through colloquium work.