EP3120391A1 - Photoaktives halbleiterbauelement sowie verfahren zum herstellen eines photoaktiven halbleiterbauelementes - Google Patents
Photoaktives halbleiterbauelement sowie verfahren zum herstellen eines photoaktiven halbleiterbauelementesInfo
- Publication number
- EP3120391A1 EP3120391A1 EP15708220.7A EP15708220A EP3120391A1 EP 3120391 A1 EP3120391 A1 EP 3120391A1 EP 15708220 A EP15708220 A EP 15708220A EP 3120391 A1 EP3120391 A1 EP 3120391A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- layer
- sic layer
- sic
- semiconductor component
- semiconductor substrate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F77/00—Constructional details of devices covered by this subclass
- H10F77/30—Coatings
- H10F77/306—Coatings for devices having potential barriers
- H10F77/311—Coatings for devices having potential barriers for photovoltaic cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F10/00—Individual photovoltaic cells, e.g. solar cells
- H10F10/10—Individual photovoltaic cells, e.g. solar cells having potential barriers
- H10F10/16—Photovoltaic cells having only PN heterojunction potential barriers
- H10F10/164—Photovoltaic cells having only PN heterojunction potential barriers comprising heterojunctions with Group IV materials, e.g. ITO/Si or GaAs/SiGe photovoltaic cells
- H10F10/165—Photovoltaic cells having only PN heterojunction potential barriers comprising heterojunctions with Group IV materials, e.g. ITO/Si or GaAs/SiGe photovoltaic cells the heterojunctions being Group IV-IV heterojunctions, e.g. Si/Ge, SiGe/Si or Si/SiC photovoltaic cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F10/00—Individual photovoltaic cells, e.g. solar cells
- H10F10/10—Individual photovoltaic cells, e.g. solar cells having potential barriers
- H10F10/16—Photovoltaic cells having only PN heterojunction potential barriers
- H10F10/164—Photovoltaic cells having only PN heterojunction potential barriers comprising heterojunctions with Group IV materials, e.g. ITO/Si or GaAs/SiGe photovoltaic cells
- H10F10/165—Photovoltaic cells having only PN heterojunction potential barriers comprising heterojunctions with Group IV materials, e.g. ITO/Si or GaAs/SiGe photovoltaic cells the heterojunctions being Group IV-IV heterojunctions, e.g. Si/Ge, SiGe/Si or Si/SiC photovoltaic cells
- H10F10/166—Photovoltaic cells having only PN heterojunction potential barriers comprising heterojunctions with Group IV materials, e.g. ITO/Si or GaAs/SiGe photovoltaic cells the heterojunctions being Group IV-IV heterojunctions, e.g. Si/Ge, SiGe/Si or Si/SiC photovoltaic cells the Group IV-IV heterojunctions being heterojunctions of crystalline and amorphous materials, e.g. silicon heterojunction [SHJ] photovoltaic cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F71/00—Manufacture or treatment of devices covered by this subclass
- H10F71/10—Manufacture or treatment of devices covered by this subclass the devices comprising amorphous semiconductor material
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F71/00—Manufacture or treatment of devices covered by this subclass
- H10F71/10—Manufacture or treatment of devices covered by this subclass the devices comprising amorphous semiconductor material
- H10F71/103—Manufacture or treatment of devices covered by this subclass the devices comprising amorphous semiconductor material including only Group IV materials
- H10F71/1035—Manufacture or treatment of devices covered by this subclass the devices comprising amorphous semiconductor material including only Group IV materials having multiple Group IV elements, e.g. SiGe or SiC
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F71/00—Manufacture or treatment of devices covered by this subclass
- H10F71/121—The active layers comprising only Group IV materials
- H10F71/1215—The active layers comprising only Group IV materials comprising at least two Group IV elements, e.g. SiGe
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F71/00—Manufacture or treatment of devices covered by this subclass
- H10F71/121—The active layers comprising only Group IV materials
- H10F71/1221—The active layers comprising only Group IV materials comprising polycrystalline silicon
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F71/00—Manufacture or treatment of devices covered by this subclass
- H10F71/129—Passivating
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F71/00—Manufacture or treatment of devices covered by this subclass
- H10F71/131—Recrystallisation; Crystallization of amorphous or microcrystalline semiconductors
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F77/00—Constructional details of devices covered by this subclass
- H10F77/10—Semiconductor bodies
- H10F77/12—Active materials
- H10F77/122—Active materials comprising only Group IV materials
- H10F77/1223—Active materials comprising only Group IV materials characterised by the dopants
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F77/00—Constructional details of devices covered by this subclass
- H10F77/10—Semiconductor bodies
- H10F77/12—Active materials
- H10F77/122—Active materials comprising only Group IV materials
- H10F77/1226—Active materials comprising only Group IV materials comprising multiple Group IV elements, e.g. SiC
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F77/00—Constructional details of devices covered by this subclass
- H10F77/10—Semiconductor bodies
- H10F77/16—Material structures, e.g. crystalline structures, film structures or crystal plane orientations
- H10F77/162—Non-monocrystalline materials, e.g. semiconductor particles embedded in insulating materials
- H10F77/164—Polycrystalline semiconductors
- H10F77/1642—Polycrystalline semiconductors including only Group IV materials
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F77/00—Constructional details of devices covered by this subclass
- H10F77/10—Semiconductor bodies
- H10F77/16—Material structures, e.g. crystalline structures, film structures or crystal plane orientations
- H10F77/162—Non-monocrystalline materials, e.g. semiconductor particles embedded in insulating materials
- H10F77/166—Amorphous semiconductors
- H10F77/1662—Amorphous semiconductors including only Group IV materials
- H10F77/1665—Amorphous semiconductors including only Group IV materials including Group IV-IV materials, e.g. SiGe or SiC
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/546—Polycrystalline silicon PV cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/548—Amorphous silicon PV cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
- Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
Definitions
- the invention relates to a photoactive semiconductor component according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for producing a selective contact of a photoactive semiconductor component according to the preamble of claim 10.
- Photoactive semiconductor components are subdivided into photon-absorbing semiconductor components, so-called photovoltaic solar cells and photon-emitting semiconductor components, so-called light-emitting diodes (LED).
- Such photoactive semiconductor components typically have a metal-semiconductor contact for electrically contacting a semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor component.
- a metal-semiconductor contact for electrically contacting a semiconductor substrate of the semiconductor component.
- the open-circuit voltage increases under standard test conditions.
- HIT solar cell heterojunction with thin intrinsic layer
- Their passivation is based, on the one hand, on the saturation of defect states on the silicon surface by a thin intrinsic amorphous silicon layer and a crystalline silicon-induced band bending, which is generated by the doped amorphous silicon layer with a band gap greater than that of crystalline silicon.
- the hydrogen in the hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si: H) plays here a crucial role: It reduces the defect density at the interface to the silicon as well as in the intrinsic and doped layers.
- US 2012/005547 A1 discloses the use of polycrystalline silicon containing carbon (pc-SiC) instead of amorphous silicon.
- pc-SiC polycrystalline silicon containing carbon
- the passivation of the interface is generated by a thin passivating oxide. Since polycrystalline silicon has only a slightly larger band gap than the crystalline semiconductor substrate, the band gap plays no role in the passivation.
- the pc-SiC layers are usually doped strongly to degenerate so as to effectively reduce the re-injection of minorities.
- the invention has for its object to provide a photoactive semiconductor device with a selective contact and a method for producing a photoactive semiconductor device with a selective contact available, which allow improved properties over the prior art semiconductor devices and / or cheaper manufacturing processes.
- the semiconductor component according to the invention is preferably produced by means of the method according to the invention and / or a preferred embodiment thereof.
- the method according to the invention is preferably designed to form a semiconductor component according to the invention and / or a preferred embodiment thereof.
- the photoactive semiconductor component according to the invention has a semiconductor substrate and a carbon-containing SiC layer arranged indirectly on a surface of the semiconductor substrate.
- Silicon layers containing carbon typically referred to as SiC layers are known per se and described for example in US 2012/005547 A1.
- such layers may have dopants, ie be p-doped or n-doped.
- a passivating intermediate layer is arranged directly or indirectly.
- the semiconductor component has a metallic contacting structure, which is arranged directly or indirectly on a side of the SiC layer facing away from the passivating intermediate layer.
- the metallic contacting is connected in a manner known per se to be electrically conductive with the SiC layer.
- the SiC layer of the photoactive semiconductor device of the present invention is a doped layer, i. H. , it has a p-type or n-type doping.
- the SiC layer has partly an amorphous structure and partly a crystalline structure.
- Amorphous silicon effectively passivated the crystalline silicon surface only in the hydrogenated state (a-Si: H).
- a-Si: H amorphous silicon layer
- a severe effusion of hydrogen occurs, which significantly worsens the passivation properties of the layer.
- temperatures below 250 ° C are allowed after the deposition.
- the doping efficiency is limited due to the defects in the amorphous layer. Since a certain doping is necessary to achieve high open-circuit voltage and high filling factors, must the layers are therefore sufficiently doped. Excessive incorporation of dopants, however, leads to a deterioration of the passivation, so that the precise adjustment of the doping is very important and places high demands on the accuracy of the manufacturing process.
- the hydro- genated a-Si: H layers are typically very rich in hydrogen.
- the hydrogen is weakly bound in a-Si: H and thus very mobile. If now a certain temperature of the layer is supplied - during the deposition process or in the subsequent high-temperature step, it comes to the effusion of hydrogen, which can cause a so-called. Blisters of the a-Si layer. This is due in particular to the different segregation quotients of the hydrogen in the silicon or silicon oxide. Such blistering can significantly damage the amorphous silicon layer and, correspondingly, significantly degrade the electrical properties of the semiconductor device.
- amorphous silicon tends to oxidize upon heating. This results in the disadvantage that the amorphous silicon layer is oxidized, for example, when entering a furnace in a normal atmosphere, and the layer is partially or completely converted to Si0 2 , and thus acts as an electrical barrier and no metallic contacting is possible.
- An SiC layer has the advantage that a hydrogenated SiC layer also has significantly less hydrogen than a hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer, and moreover, the hydrogen in the SiC layer undergoes a C-H bond which is much more stable than the S H bonding of the hydrogen of the amorphous silicon layer, By these effects mentioned thus the risk of blistering is significantly reduced.
- the incorporation of carbon protects the layer from undesirable oxidation during a thermal action.
- a SiC layer is resistant to some acids commonly used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, as opposed to an amorphous silicon layer. As a result, the range of possible processing steps expands and costs can be saved.
- SiC is deposited amorphously by PECVD and subsequently crystallized in a high temperature step. If the SiC layer, as in US 2012/005547 A1, is completely crystallized after deposition at a high-temperature step, this can lead to a significant reduction in the band gap and thus ensure passivation exclusively by the tunnel oxide, which places greater demands on the oxide and its oxide Production process.
- a further disadvantage here is that complete crystallization of the SiC layer requires high temperatures (greater than 1000 ° C.), which thus represent a cost-intensive process step and, moreover, can damage other layers, in particular further oxide layers used for better passivation.
- complete crystallization of the SiC layer leads to the formation of considerable layer voltages between the SiC layer and the passivating intermediate layer or the semiconductor substrate. This has a negative effect on the passivation properties.
- the present invention avoids these disadvantages by first depositing an amorphous, hydrogenated SiC layer (a-SiC: H) and then partially transforming the SiC layer by partial crystallization becomes, so that the SiC layer partially an amorphous structure and partly has a crystalline structure.
- a-SiC amorphous, hydrogenated SiC layer
- amorphous and crystalline silicon refer here to the known definitions: Amorphous silicon has a Nahowski but no distant order. In contrast, crystalline silicon has a long-range order.
- the semiconductor device according to the invention can thus be carried out using a cost-effective deposition method, for example a PECVD deposition for the production of the SiC layer.
- a cost-effective deposition method for example a PECVD deposition for the production of the SiC layer.
- the a-Si: H / c-Si heterocontact benefits from the larger bandgap of a-Si: H and thus is highly selective with sufficient doping of the a-Si: H layer.
- the disadvantage is the strong parasitic absorption in the a-Si: H (quasi-direct semiconductor) and the low thermal stability. The latter is clearly improved by polycrystalline silicon (pc-Si) contacts, since their passivation is not based on hydrogen. Theoretically, these should also have a lower parasitic absorption.
- the pc-Si layer thickness (> 50 nm) was significantly larger than comparable a-Si layer thicknesses (10-20 nm). Furthermore, the selectivity of this contact is lower because no heterostructure is formed due to the bandgap of the same size as c-Si. Replacing the pc-Si layer with a partially crystallized a-SiC layer results in a heterostructure and thus a significantly improved selectivity of the contact.
- the diffusion length of the minority charge carrier is reduced compared to pc-Si, which allows the use of small layer thicknesses as in a-Si: H up to 10 nm.
- this contact is distinguished from a-Si: H / c-Si heterojunctions: 1.
- the partial crystallization of the amorphous layer allows for increased doping efficiency, which counteracts the selectivity and conductivity of the contact. 2.
- the bandgap may be less than that of a-Si: H, the parasitic absorption in the layer is significantly reduced since the crystalline Si components in the layer have a much lower absorption coefficient.
- thermal stability of this layer is comparable to pc-Si or pc-SiC contacts.
- LPCVD a further process step
- the thickness of the aforementioned pc-Si layer is low (preferably less than 10 nm, in particular in the range 2 nm to 10 nm, preferably 3 nm to 7 nm, in particular about 5 nm) that only a slight increase in costs is required.
- the method according to the invention for producing a selective contact of a photoactive semiconductor component comprises the following method steps:
- a provision of a semiconductor substrate takes place.
- a passivating intermediate layer is arranged directly or indirectly on a surface of the semiconductor substrate.
- a doped SiC layer containing carbon is arranged directly and indirectly on the passivating intermediate layer, and in a method step D, the metallic contact structure is arranged directly or indirectly on the side of the SiC layer facing away from the passivating intermediate layer.
- the SiC layer be partially formed as an amorphous structure and partly as an amorphous structure. This results in the aforementioned advantages.
- the proportion of the amorphous SiC bonds is preferably in the range of 20% to 80% of the total volume of the SiC layer, preferably in the range of 30% to 50%.
- the remaining VoiumenanteU has crystalline Si and SiC.
- a crystallinity of about 20% i.e., about 20% of the total volume is crystalline
- This aforementioned embodiment of the SiC layer allows an optimization in order to reduce the above-mentioned disadvantages of an amorphous silicon layer on the one hand and a polycrystalline SiC layer on the other hand altogether.
- the SiC layer is present as Si-rich SiC layer, ie, the SiC layer has an excess of Si-Si bonds in contrast to Si-C bonds. Since the crystallization temperature of Si is lower than that of SiC, temperatures in the range of 900 ° C are sufficient to achieve partial crystallization of the SiC layer.
- the layer has subregions in which no carbon is bound to silicon atoms.
- the SiC layer preferably has both amorphous and crystalline structures, at least in the subregions in which no carbon is bonded to silicon atoms. It is within the scope of the invention that in the subregions in which is bound to silicon, is completely present an amorphous structure. This is due to the fact that such portions only crystallize at higher temperatures.
- the SiC layer preferably has a carbon content of less than 25 atomic percent. In addition, this ensures a good electrical contactability (with a low electrical contact resistance) of the SiC layer through the metallic contacting.
- the carbon content of the SiC layer is preferably in the range of 5 atomic% to 20 atomic%, more preferably in the range of 7 atomic% to 15 atomic%.
- the semiconductor substrate is preferably formed as a silicon substrate. In this way it is possible to apply to structures of photovoltaic solar cells and LEDs known per se, and it is also within the scope of the invention to form the semiconductor substrate from another semiconductor, for example as a GaAs substrate.
- the semiconductor substrate is formed as a base with a base doping and the SiC layer is formed as an emitter with an opposite to the base doping emitter doping type.
- This has the advantage that a pn junction for charge carrier separation is formed in a simple manner, which also has a high electrical quality.
- Doping types are the n-type and the opposite p-type.
- the semiconductor substrate is formed as a base with a base doping and the SiC layer as a so-called BSF (Back Surface Field) layer in that the SiC layer has a doping of the basic doping type.
- the SiC layer thus serves on the one hand to form the selective contact and on the other hand to passivate the surface of the semiconductor substrate, so that a low surface recombination speed and thus a high electrical quality of the semiconductor component is achieved.
- the semiconductor substrate preferably has a doping with the same dopant of the SiC layer on the side facing the passivating intermediate layer. This allows the effective surface recombination be further reduced for minority carriers of the semiconductor substrate. In addition, such doping can be achieved in a simple manner by diffusion of the dopant from the SiC layer into the semiconductor substrate.
- a second SiC layer is arranged directly on the side of the semiconductor substrate facing away from the SiC layer. Between the semiconductor substrate and the second SiC layer, a second passivating intermediate layer is furthermore arranged indirectly or preferably directly.
- the second SiC layer preferably has a different division between amorphous and crystalline portions than the first SiC layer. In particular, it is advantageous to form the second SiC layer having a higher amorphous volume fraction than the first SiC layer, in particular to form the second SiC layer essentially as an amorphous SiC layer (a-SiC layer).
- the first SiC layer can be optimized, in particular with regard to a low optical absorption, to allow photons to penetrate into the semiconductor component (photovoltaic solar cell) or to let it emerge from the semiconductor component (LED).
- the second Si-C layer can be optimized with regard to the selective properties (larger band gap) and can therefore have a higher amorphous volume fraction.
- the second SiC layer may be formed analogously to the first SiC layer, in particular with respect to the thickness, doping and Abscheideart.
- the SiC layer preferably has a thickness ⁇ 30 nm, preferably ⁇ 20 nm, in particular ⁇ 15 nm. In particular, it is advantageous to form the SiC layer with a thickness in the range of 5 nm to 15 nm. This achieves an optimization between low absorption losses and advantageous electrical properties, in particular with regard to surface passivation.
- the oxide layer is broken up locally. This is achieved by using temperatures> 900 ° C.
- a further pc-Si layer between oxide and SiC layer is arranged. This has the advantage that a thicker passivating interlayer can be used and yet the desired electrical properties are ensured by the broken areas.
- the thickness of the passivating intermediate layer is preferably in the range 1 nm to 4 nm, in particular in the range 2 nm to 3 nm.
- the photoactive semiconductor component can be designed as a photon-absorbing or photon-emitting component.
- the formation of the semiconductor device according to the invention as a photovoltaic solar cell is particularly advantageous. Investigations by the applicant have shown that a photovoltaic solar cell with high efficiencies can be inexpensively formed here.
- the SiC layer is preferably applied as an amorphous layer and subsequently only partially crystallized. This results in the advantage that it is possible to fall back on cost-effective production methods, in particular preferably PECVD, and nevertheless substantially avoid the disadvantages of amorphous silicon layers.
- the SiC layer is partially crystallized by heat, d. H. partially transformed the amorphous structure of the SiC layer into a crystalline structure. This is preferably done by heating the SiC layer to a temperature above 800 ° C, preferably above 850 ° C, more preferably above 900 ° C. Here, as stated above, preferably temperatures above 950 ° C. are avoided.
- a polycrystalline silicon layer is arranged directly or indirectly between the passivating intermediate layer and the SiC layer. This has the advantage that the oxide layer is protected.
- the aforementioned polycrystalline silicon layer can be made considerably thinner with respect to the SiC layer, so that only one low cost increase takes place.
- the thickness of this polycrystalline silicon layer is preferably in the range 5 nm.
- the polycrystalline silicon layer is deposited by means of a method known per se, in particular by means of the LPCVD.
- the polycrystalline silicon layer can be deposited by means of APCVD (atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition).
- the polycrystalline silicon layer is preferably also formed as an SiC layer.
- the passivating intermediate layer is preferably formed as an oxide layer, in particular as a silicon oxide layer (SiO x layer).
- the passivating intermediate layer may be formed as a layer system comprising a plurality of partial layers, in particular at least one oxide layer and a polycrystalline silicon layer.
- the passivating intermediate layer is preferably formed as a thermally stable passivating intermediate layer, in particular at temperatures above 800 ° C., preferably above 900 ° C. This has the advantage that known high-temperature steps can also be used after application of the passivating intermediate layer.
- the passivating intermediate layer comprises one or more layers of Al 2 O 3 layer, HfAISiOx layer.
- the passivating intermediate layer may be formed as a multilayered layer.
- Figure 1 a to c a first embodiment of a method according to the invention
- a passivating intermediate layer 2 designed as a tunnel layer is applied to a semiconductor substrate 1 designed as a silicon substrate.
- the semiconductor substrate 1 is formed as a monocrystalline silicon wafer.
- the tunnel layer has a thickness in the range 5 angstroms to 50 angstroms, in this case 10 angstroms. It is designed as a silicon dioxide layer. Likewise, the tunnel layer may be formed as a different oxide.
- the silicon substrate is formed as a monocrystalline silicon wafer and in this case has a boron-based doping (p-type) in the range 10 14 cm “3 to 10 17 cm “ 3 , in this case 1, 5x10 16 cm “3 .
- the tunnel layer is applied by wet chemical growth.
- the tunnel layer can be deposited by means of RTO (Rapid Thermal Oxidation), ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition), PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition), LPCVD (Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition) or APCVD (Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition).
- FIG. 1 shows the state after carrying out exemplary embodiments of the aforementioned method steps A and B, in which the tunneling layer has been applied directly to the rear side of the semiconductor substrate 1 (shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in each case below).
- a doped amorphous SiC layer 3 (here boron-doped) is applied.
- the carbon content is in the range of about 5% to 25%, in the present case about 20%
- the thickness of the layer 3 is between 5 nm and 30 nm, in the present case about 15 nm.
- the layer 3 is applied by means of PECVD.
- the application of layers 3 and 4 by means of LPCVD or APCVD or sputtering is within the scope of the invention.
- the doping of the boron-doped layer is here in the range 1 0 18 cm “3 to 10 21 cm “ 3rd
- FIG. 1 b thus shows the state after carrying out an exemplary embodiment of the aforementioned method step C, in which the doped SiC layer 3 has been applied directly to the tunnel layer 2.
- heating of the solar cell activates the doping and partial crystallization of the amorphous SiC layer 3.
- the heating thus comprises a known high-temperature step, preferably with temperatures in the range 600 ° C.-950 ° C., in the present case 800 ° C.-900 ° C.
- the high-temperature step is carried out by means of oven annealing.
- the high-temperature step can be carried out by means of RTP (Rapid Thermal Processing) or by means of a laser.
- the degree of crystallinity of the layers can be controlled here by the selected temperature budget and the carbon content in the SiC layer 3.
- the amorphous fraction of the total volume of the layer after heating should preferably be at least 20%, preferably> 30%, in the present case about 40%, in order to ensure improved selectivity due to the increased band gap of a-Si compared to c-Si.
- the dopant of layer 3 can diffuse into a region 4 during this high-temperature step into the substrate, so that a shift of the pn junction or the high-Iow junction (which enables a BSF) into the Ab - sorber can come (see Figure 1 c). In the embodiment shown here is the displacement of the high-Iow junction.
- Figure 1 c thus represents an embodiment of a semiconductor device according to the invention, wherein the aforementioned metallic contacts are not shown.
- the semiconductor component as a photovoltaic solar cell or LED, further elements can be added, in particular an emitter diffusion (in the present case n-type, for example by means of phosphorus as dopant) on the front side of the semiconductor substrate.
- an emitter diffusion in the present case n-type, for example by means of phosphorus as dopant
- a passivating intermediate layer 2, 2 'designed as a tunnel layer is applied on both sides to a semiconductor substrate 1 designed as a silicon substrate.
- the semiconductor substrate 1 is formed as a monocrystalline silicon wafer.
- the tunnel layer has a thickness in the range 5 angstroms to 50 angstroms, in this case 10 angstroms. It is designed as a silicon dioxide layer. Likewise, the tunnel layer may be formed as a different oxide.
- the tunnel layer is applied by means of wet-chemical growth.
- the tunnel layer can be deposited by means of RTO (Rapid Thermal Oxidation), ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition), PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposits), LPCVD (Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition) or APCVD (Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition).
- RTO Rapid Thermal Oxidation
- ALD Atomic Layer Deposition
- PECVD Pasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposits
- LPCVD Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition
- APCVD Admospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition
- a boron-doped amorphous first SiC layer 3 and a phosphorus-doped amorphous second SiC layer 3 '(on the front side shown above) are applied.
- the carbon content of both layers is in the range of about 5% to 25%, in the present case about 15%.
- the thickness of the layers 3 and 3 ' is between 5 nm and 30 nm, in the present case about 15 nm.
- the layers are applied by means of PECVD.
- the application of the layers 3 and 3 'by means of LPCVD or APCVD or sputtering is within the scope of the invention.
- the doping of the n-doped layer 3 ' is here in the range 10 18 cm “3 to 10 21 cm “ 3rd The same applies to the p-doped layer 3.
- FIG. 1 b thus shows the state in which the two doped SiC layers 3 and 3 'were applied directly to the respective tunnel layer 2.
- the heating thus represents a high-temperature step known per se, preferably with temperatures in the range 600-950 ° C., preferably 800-900 ° C.
- the high-temperature step is carried out by means of furnace annealing.
- the high-temperature step can be carried out by means of RTP (Rapid Thermal Processing) or by means of a laser.
- the degree of crystallinity of the layers can be controlled here by the selected temperature budget and the carbon content in the respective layers 3 and 4.
- the layer on the light-facing side has a higher crystalline silicon content than the layer on the light-remote side. This is due to the lower absorption coefficient of c-Si compared to a-Si.
- the respective amorphous fraction of the total volume of both layers should preferably be at least 20%, preferably> 30%, in the present case about 50%, in order to ensure improved selectivity due to the increased band gap of a-Si compared to c-Si.
- the dopant can diffuse within the layers 3 and 3 'and into the semiconductor substrate (absorber), such that a shift of the pn junction into the absorber can occur, analogous to that described in FIG. 1 c.
- a TCO layer 5 is applied.
- This TCO layer is used to produce the transverse conductivity and for better coupling of the incident light.
- This layer 5 may be formed as ITO, AZO, IO: H and is about 70 nm thick.
- a metal layer 6 in the form of a contacting grid is applied on the front side.
- FIG. 2c thus represents a second exemplary embodiment of a semiconductor component according to the invention
- a tunnel layer 2 is applied on both sides to a semiconductor substrate 1 designed as a silicon substrate according to FIG.
- the semiconductor substrate 1 is formed as a monocrystalline silicon wafer.
- the tunnel layer 2 in each case has a thickness in the range from 5 angstroms to 50 angstroms, in the present case 10 angstroms. It is designed as a silicon dioxide layer. Likewise, the tunnel layer may be formed as a different oxide.
- the tunnel layer is applied by means of wet-chemical growth.
- the tunnel layer can be deposited by means of RTO (Rapid Thermal Oxidation), ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition), PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposits), LPCVD (Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition) or APCVD (Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition).
- RTO Rapid Thermal Oxidation
- ALD Atomic Layer Deposition
- PECVD Pasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposits
- LPCVD Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition
- APCVD Admospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition
- an undoped polycrystalline Si layer (9 and 9 ') is applied on both sides.
- the thickness of this layer is in each case between 5 nm and 20 nm, in the present case about 5 nm.
- the layers 9, 9 ' are preferably applied by means of LPCVD. Deposition by APCVD is also within
- a boron-doped amorphous SiC layer 3 and a phosphorus-doped amorphous SiC layer 3 ' are applied.
- the carbon content is in each case in the range of about 5% to 25%, in this case about 15%.
- the thickness of the layers 3 and 3 ' is between 5 nm and 30 nm, in the present case about 15 nm.
- the application is carried out by means of PECVD.
- the application of the layers 3 and 3 'by means of LPCVD or APCVD or sputtering is within the scope of the invention.
- the doping of the n-doped layer is here in the range 10 8 cm “3 to 10 21 cm " 3rd The same applies to the p-doped layer.
- heating of the solar cell As a result, an activation of the doping and partial crystallization of the amorphous SiC layers 3 and 3 'is achieved.
- the heating thus represents a known high temperature step, preferably with temperatures in the range 600-950 ° C, in this case 800-900 ° C.
- the high-temperature step is carried out by oven annealing.
- the high-temperature step can be carried out by means of RTP (Rapid Thermal Processing) or by means of a laser.
- the degree of crystallinity of the layers can be controlled here by the selected temperature budget and the carbon content in the respective layers 3 and 3 '.
- the layer on the light-facing side has a higher crystalline silicon content than the layer on the light-remote side. This is due to the lower absorption coefficient of c-Si compared to a-Si.
- the respective amorphous fraction in the total volume of both layers should preferably be at least 20%, preferably> 30% and in the present case is about 50% in order to ensure improved selectivity due to the increased band gap of a-Si compared to c-Si.
- the dopant of the layers 3 and 3 ' may diffuse into the polycrystalline Si layer 9 and 9' during this high-temperature step.
- the advantage of introducing a poly-Si intermediate layer is due to the different thermal expansion coefficients of Si and SiC.
- the poly-Si layer avoids excessive build-up of layer stresses, which can adversely affect interfacial passivation.
- a TCO layer 6 is applied.
- This TCO layer is used to produce the transverse conductivity and for better coupling of the incident light.
- This layer 6 may be formed as ITO, AZO, IO: H and is about 70 nm thick.
- a metallic contact 6 in the form of a contacting grid, for example.
- a metal layer 7, preferably Ag, is applied over the entire surface.
- FIG. 3d thus represents a third exemplary embodiment of a semiconductor component according to the invention.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE102014205350.1A DE102014205350B4 (de) | 2014-03-21 | 2014-03-21 | Photoaktives Halbleiterbauelement sowie Verfahren zum Herstellen eines photoaktiven Halbleiterbauelementes |
| PCT/EP2015/054773 WO2015139975A1 (de) | 2014-03-21 | 2015-03-06 | Photoaktives halbleiterbauelement sowie verfahren zum herstellen eines photoaktiven halbleiterbauelementes |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP3120391A1 true EP3120391A1 (de) | 2017-01-25 |
Family
ID=52629585
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP15708220.7A Withdrawn EP3120391A1 (de) | 2014-03-21 | 2015-03-06 | Photoaktives halbleiterbauelement sowie verfahren zum herstellen eines photoaktiven halbleiterbauelementes |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20170018662A1 (de) |
| EP (1) | EP3120391A1 (de) |
| DE (1) | DE102014205350B4 (de) |
| WO (1) | WO2015139975A1 (de) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102019203696B4 (de) * | 2019-03-19 | 2022-02-24 | Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg | Transparente Mehrschichtanordnung und Herstellungsverfahren |
| CN112259614B (zh) * | 2019-07-03 | 2022-09-23 | 中国科学院宁波材料技术与工程研究所 | 一种叠层薄膜钝化接触结构的制备方法及其应用 |
| CN112259630B (zh) * | 2020-10-26 | 2022-06-10 | 隆基绿能科技股份有限公司 | 碳化硅电池 |
| FR3116151A1 (fr) * | 2020-11-10 | 2022-05-13 | Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives | Procede de formation d’une structure de piegeage d’un substrat utile |
| CN114759098B (zh) * | 2020-12-29 | 2023-12-01 | 隆基绿能科技股份有限公司 | 一种碳化硅光伏器件 |
| CN117855295B (zh) * | 2024-01-18 | 2025-07-15 | 天合光能股份有限公司 | 太阳能电池及其制备方法 |
| CN118136697A (zh) * | 2024-01-23 | 2024-06-04 | 中科研和(宁波)科技有限公司 | 一种兼具钝化和表面掺杂的钝化膜结构及其制备方法和应用 |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP5328083B2 (ja) | 2006-08-01 | 2013-10-30 | キヤノン株式会社 | 酸化物のエッチング方法 |
| CA2759708C (en) | 2009-04-21 | 2019-06-18 | Tetrasun, Inc. | High-efficiency solar cell structures and methods of manufacture |
| US20120005547A1 (en) | 2010-06-30 | 2012-01-05 | Chang Chioumin M | Scalable system debugger for prototype debugging |
| US9054256B2 (en) * | 2011-06-02 | 2015-06-09 | Solarcity Corporation | Tunneling-junction solar cell with copper grid for concentrated photovoltaic application |
-
2014
- 2014-03-21 DE DE102014205350.1A patent/DE102014205350B4/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2015
- 2015-03-06 US US15/124,161 patent/US20170018662A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-03-06 EP EP15708220.7A patent/EP3120391A1/de not_active Withdrawn
- 2015-03-06 WO PCT/EP2015/054773 patent/WO2015139975A1/de not_active Ceased
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| C-K JUNG ET AL: "Hydrogenated amorphous and crystalline SiC thin films grown by RF-PECVD and thermal MOCVD; comparative study of structural and optical properties", SURFACE AND COATINGS TECHNOLOGY, ELSEVIER BV, AMSTERDAM, NL, vol. 171, no. 1-3, 1 July 2003 (2003-07-01), pages 46 - 50, XP001599005, ISSN: 0257-8972, DOI: 10.1016/S0257-8972(03)00234-2 * |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE102014205350A1 (de) | 2015-09-24 |
| US20170018662A1 (en) | 2017-01-19 |
| WO2015139975A1 (de) | 2015-09-24 |
| DE102014205350B4 (de) | 2021-09-09 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| EP3930013B1 (de) | Verfahren zum herstellen einer photovoltaischen solarzelle mit zumindest einem heteroübergang | |
| EP3378104B1 (de) | Solarzelle mit mehreren durch ladungsträger-selektive kontakte miteinander verbundenen absorbern | |
| DE102014205350B4 (de) | Photoaktives Halbleiterbauelement sowie Verfahren zum Herstellen eines photoaktiven Halbleiterbauelementes | |
| DE602005001401T2 (de) | Struktur und verfahren für die herstellung eines cmos-kompatiblen hochgeschwindigkeits-ge-on-isolator-photodetektors | |
| DE112008002387B4 (de) | Struktur einer Mehrfachübergangs-Solarzelle, Verfahren zur Bildung einer photonischenVorrichtung, Photovoltaische Mehrfachübergangs-Zelle und Photovoltaische Mehrfachübergangs-Zellenvorrichtung, | |
| DE69636605T2 (de) | Solarzelle und ihr Herstellungsverfahren | |
| DE102009025977A1 (de) | Solarzelle und Herstellungsverfahren einer Solarzelle | |
| DE102006003283A1 (de) | Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Halbleiterbauelements mit unterschiedlich stark dotierten Bereichen | |
| DE102010006315B4 (de) | Verfahren zur lokalen Hochdotierung und Kontaktierung einer Halbleiterstruktur, welche eine Solarzelle oder eine Vorstufe einer Solarzelle ist | |
| DE102013219564A1 (de) | Verfahren zum Herstellen einer photovoltaischen Solarzelle mit einem Heteroübergang | |
| DE102011075352A1 (de) | Verfahren zum Rückseitenkontaktieren einer Silizium-Solarzelle und Silizium-Solarzelle mit einer solchen Rückseitenkontaktierung | |
| DE102018123397A1 (de) | Verfahren zur Herstellung einer photovoltaischen Solarzelle mit einem Heteroübergang und einem eindiffundiertem Emitterbereich | |
| DE202023101309U1 (de) | Solarzelle und Photovoltaikmodul | |
| EP2823505B1 (de) | Verfahren zum erzeugen eines dotierbereiches in einer halbleiterschicht | |
| EP3044813A1 (de) | Verfahren zur herstellung einer solarzelle umfassend eine dotierung durch ionenimplantation und abscheiden einer ausdiffusionsbarriere | |
| EP2583313A2 (de) | Verfahren zur erzeugung einer selektiven dotierstruktur in einem halbleitersubstrat zur herstellung einer photovoltaischen solarzelle | |
| DE102010044348A1 (de) | Photovoltaische Solarzelle und Verfahren zu deren Herstellung | |
| EP2286469B1 (de) | Halbleiterkörper und verfahren zur herstellung eines halbleiterkörpers | |
| DE102013219565A1 (de) | Photovoltaische Solarzelle und Verfahren zum Herstellen einer photovoltaischen Solarzelle | |
| DE102015107842B3 (de) | Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Solarzelle mit oxidierten Zwischenbereichen zwischen Poly-Silizium-Kontakten | |
| DE102009040670A1 (de) | Verfahren zur Herstellung einer einseitig kontaktierbaren Solarzelle | |
| WO2019002097A1 (de) | Halbleiterchip mit transparenter stromaufweitungsschicht | |
| DE102011052261A1 (de) | Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Solarzelle, Solarzelle und Solarmodul | |
| DE102020134733A1 (de) | Mehrfachsolarzelle und Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Mehrfachsolarzelle | |
| DE102011002280A1 (de) | Solarzellen und Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Solarzelle |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE |
|
| PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
| 17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20160627 |
|
| AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
| AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
| DAV | Request for validation of the european patent (deleted) | ||
| DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS |
|
| 17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20180213 |
|
| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
| 18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20180824 |