Zone melting recrystallization of silicon films for crystalline silicon thin-film solar cells

Coarse-grained silicon films for crystalline silicon thin-film solar cells have been prepared by zone melting recrystallization. A zone melting heater was modified to obtain better temperature homogeneity of the sample and higher reproducibility of the melt process. Various substrate materials of different purity and surface roughness have been tested concerning their suitability for, silicon deposition, zone melting and solar cell process. Solar cell efficiencies up to 10.5% could be achieved on silicon sheets from powder, capped by an intermediate layer. Silicon films on SiAlON ceramics were successfully processed to solar cells by a completely dry solar cell process.