Inline Diagnostic Systems for the Characterization of Multi-Junction Solar Cells

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) has developed a comprehensive set of in-line diagnostic systems that allow real-time measurement of the film physical properties and the PV device electrical characteristics in-situ during the PV deposition process. These systems reduce the delay between deposition and characterization by a couple of orders of magnitude, from 1-2 weeks to 1-2 hours, and consequently make possible a new paradigm for QA/QC, optimization, and commissioning new equipment. With a few years of operational experience we now see the possibility of installing devices that can expedite the commissioning process and provide precise characterization for the lifetime of the machine with no calibration or maintenance (with the exception of dusting optical windows every few months). In this paper we review the motivation for these systems, the present status, and our plans for the future