Application of Plasma Silicon Nitride to Multicrystalline Silicon Solar Cells

This project will contribute to the advancement of photovoltaic solar energy by investigating the application to multicrystalline silicon solar cells of a specific technology, plasma-enhanced silicon nitride deposition. It is expected that this new technology will lead to a significant improvement of this industrially relevant material (50% of present production), including volume and surface passivation effects. A basic research of the fundamental aspects of the silicon nitride/multicrystalline silicon system will be followed by the development of practical solar cell structures and fabrication processes.