Hydrogen Ion Beam Passivation of Electrically Active Defects in Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

ABSTRACTWe have observed significant improvements in the efficiencies of dendritic web and edge-supported-pulling silicon sheet solar cells after hydrogen ion beam passivation for a period of ten minutes or less. We have obtained electron-beam-induced current data that show the hydrogen passivation of dislocations as well as grain boundaries in edge-supportedpulling silicon sheet solar cells. We have studied the effects of the hydrogen ion beam treatment with respect to silicon material damage, silicon sputter rate, introduction of impurities, and changes in reflectance.