Back Cover: Growth of carbon and nitrogen containing precipitates in crystalline solar silicon and their influence on solar cells (Phys. Status Solidi RRL 2/2017). Issue 2 (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Richter, Susanne; Bauer, Jan; Breitenstein, Otwin
• Is Part Of: Physica status solidi. Volume 11:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Solid state physics -- Periodicals; 530.4105
• DOI: 10.1002/pssr.201770309
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1862-6254

Abstract

Abstract : No abstract is available for this article. Abstract : Solar modules, which convert sun light to electric energy, contain solar cells as their basic elements. The dominant material for today's solar cells is multicrystalline silicon, which shows crystallite sizes from millimeters up to centimeters. Carbon and nitrogen are the dominant non‐metallic impurities in this material, which often leads to the appearance of silicon carbide and silicon nitride precipitates there. These particles influence the energy conversion efficiency of the solar cells and the manufacturability of the material negatively. The Review@RRL by Richter, Bauer and Breitenstein (article no. 1600354 ) summarizes literature data and new findings about the growth conditions, the different morphologies, and the electronic and mechanical influences of silicon carbide and silicon nitride precipitates on solar cells and materials. It is found that silicon carbide filaments and particles are more dangerous than silicon nitride rods, fibers, or nets. New results on metallic trace impurities in these precipitates and their surrounding silicon material are presented. Various strategies for avoiding these precipitates are reported and their possible influence to future solar cell technologies is estimated.