Polycrystalline silicon sheets for solar cells by the improved spinning method

Large-grain polycrystalline silicon sheets, 10 × 10-cm²and 0.1-0.5-mm thick, have been obtained directly by spinning the silicon melt and diffusing it into mold cavities. The sheet has a crystal structure with average grain size of 3.0 mm and contains a few dendrites. Production time from melt is about 4 sheets per 15 s. For solar cell efficiency, this sheet has a greater potential to meet the goal of a low-cost solar cell than other recent unconventional silicon sheet technologies.