IMEC-Cell Modeling infrastructure and software

MAIN FEATURES :

The electrical and optical characterization techniques comprise:

• Carrier Density imaging (CDI)
• Photo- Luminescence Imaging (PL),
• Lock-In-Thermography (LIT),
• low-injection QSSPC
• Spectral response and reflectivity measurements.

This is complemented by a number of nano-characterization tools to determine local carrier concentration

• SSRMscanning spreading resistance measurements
• local impurity concentration (Time-Of- Flight-SIMS)
• near defects and grain boundaries and local opto-electronic properties
• EBIC,
• Conductive-AFM

The characterization facilities offered are embedded in a large research infrastructure for industrial and clean-room based high efficiency solar cell processing.

In order to integrate ultrathin wafers and cells into solar modules, it is not sufficient to consider just electrical and optical performance. With decreasing silicon thickness,thermo-mechanical effects become increasingly important during the processing sequence itself (thin wafers are more prone to warping, breakage, thermally induced strain). Moreover, module lifetime is critically dependant on thermo-mechanically induced stresses.

IMEC  can offer 2D and 3D finite element modeling where stresses, strains and deformations can be calculated, extracted and represented in a module. More generally, such models effectively predict the influence of the different layers in the module and therefore learn how they can be tuned to minimize stresses in the buildup.
However, the construction of 3D–models is necessary to predict also local effects, especially in the more critical areas of the module as corners and such.

LIMITATIONS OR CONSTRAINTS:

The infrastructure is used predominantly for internal research and co-operation projects with industry and other research institutes. Access to the characterization infrastructure by international users is provided for limited period  for noncommercial purposes, i.e., only for scientific R&D.

TYPICAL SERVICES OR RESULTS:

Access to use the simulation platforms is offered for the simulation of advanced highefficiency Si solar cell structures and the detailed analysis of local effects in multicrystalline Si materials and solar cells

Participation to Research Projects:

Electrical and optical characterization and simulation of cells and Si material