Combining laser chemical processing and aerosol jet printing: a laboratory scale feasibility study

First results showing the viability of combining laser chemical processing (LCP) and aerosol jet printing (AJP) technologies to produce a high‐efficiency front side for silicon solar cells are presented. LCP simultaneously opens the anti‐reflection coating (ARC) and highly dopes the underlying silicon to create a selective emitter, while AJP is the first in a two‐step fine‐line contact formation procedure. The electrical properties as well as the morphology of the resulting structures are presented. Performance similar to that achieved with evaporated TiPdAg metallization is demonstrated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. First results showing the viability of combining laser chemical processing (LCP) and aerosol jet printing (AJP) technologies to produce a high‐efficiency front side for silicon solar cells are presented. LCP simultaneously opens the anti‐reflection coating (ARC) and highly dopes the underlying silicon to create a selective emitter, while AJP is the first in a two‐step fine‐line contact formation procedure. The electrical properties as well as the morphology of the resulting structures are presented.