A Novel Solid Phase Epitaxy Emitter for Silicon Solar Cells

In this study, we suggest the new emitter formation applied solid phase epitaxy (SPE) growth process using rapid thermal process (RTP). Preferentially, we describe the SPE growth of intrinsic a-Si thin film through RTP heat treatment by radio-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF-PECVD). Phase transition of intrinsic a-Si thin films were taken place under $600^{\circ}C$ for 5 min annealing condition measured by spectroscopic ellipsometer (SE) applied to effective medium approximation (EMA). We confirmed the SPE growth using high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) analysis. Similarly, phase transition of P doped a-Si thin films were arisen $700^{\circ}C$ for 1 min, however, crystallinity is lower than intrinsic a-Si thin films. It is referable to the interference of the dopant. Based on this, we fabricated 16.7% solar cell to apply emitter layer formed SPE growth of P doped a-Si thin films using RTP. We considered that is a relative short process time compare to make the phosphorus emitter such as diffusion using furnace. Also, it is causing process simplification that can be omitted phosphorus silicate glass (PSG) removal and edge isolation process.