Take the easy way: Sodium doped sputtering targets for CIS/CIGS solar cells.

Sept. 27, 2010 - PRLog -- In CIS/CIGS solar cells the soda-lime glass substrate often functions as the sodium source from which the material diffuses through the molybdenum back contact into the absorber layer. Since this process is difficult to control and does not guarantee a homogenous sodium distribution, many producers use different sodium sources. They apply Na by means of an additional layer or deposit it together with the absorber materials. Both methods are complex and highly prone to error.

Solar cell producers now have an easy alternative at hand: By sputtering a layer of sodium doped molybdenum, the amount of sodium in the absorber layer can exactly be controlled and reproduced. For this standard process in the CIS/CIGS production route, PLANSEE, one of the leading manufacturers of thin-film materials, offers MoNa sputtering targets with full density, high purity and a uniform and fine grained microstructure. Tests in cooperation with the Swiss EMPA institute have already proven their benefits in practice: With Na doped molybdenum layers the efficiency of CIGS solar cells could be significately improved. For more information on PLANSEE’s thin-film materials for CIS/CIGS and CdTe solar cells please go to www.plansee.com or contact coating@plansee.com.

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PLANSEE is one of the leading manufacturers of products made from refractory metals and metallic composite materials. The privately owned company has been manufacturing innovative powder-metallurgically processed high-performance materials for over 85 years, and covers the whole production process, right from the raw material to the finished product. The company employs materials experts, product developers and local technical sales staff to provide customers all over the world with all the help and assistance they require.