SBIR Phase IB: Real time optical control system for thin film solar cell manufacturing

这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段研究项目涉及下一代薄膜太阳能电池和电池板制造中的实时光学控制系统。所提出的系统通过提高单个太阳能电池和电池板的质量来改善薄膜太阳能电池的制造。它允许制造更一致和统一的产品，从而提高太阳能转换效率和制造产量。提出的系统使用专利的微型光纤传感器，安装在薄膜沉积室的许多位置。他们监测基板上的不同点，并获得薄膜性能的实时测量。该系统将测量值与目标值进行比较，并提供即时校正，改善薄膜均匀性，缩小材料性能分布。它将大多数产品返回到目标规格，否则这些产品将被拒绝。该方案将减少浪费，提高薄膜太阳能电池和电池板的制造收率和转换效率。它对目前由于制造成品率不足而成本较高的大型太阳能电池板具有特殊的好处。拟议中的技术将缩短太阳能电池板与传统能源达到电网平价所需的时间。提出的技术还将促进下一代薄膜产品的许多其他应用的发展，如光子晶体，纳米技术，超材料，多结太阳能电池，印刷和伪造控制。该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I research project relates to a real-time optical control system in the manufacture of next generation thin film solar cells and panels. The proposed system improves thin film solar cell manufacturing by improving the quality of the individual solar cells and panels. It allows manufacturing of more consistent and uniform products resulting in higher solar conversion efficiency and manufacturing yield. The proposed system uses patented miniature fiber optic sensors, installed at many locations in the film deposition chambers. They monitor different spots on the substrate and obtain real time measurements of film properties. The system compares the measured with the targeted values and provides immediate correction, improving film uniformity and narrowing material property distribution. It returns most of the products to their targeted specification, which would otherwise be rejected. This proposal will reduce waste and improve the manufacturing yield and the conversion efficiency of thin film solar cells and panels. It has specific benefits for the large-size solar panels, which are manufactured at higher cost today due to insufficient manufacturing yield. The proposed technology will reduce the time it takes for solar panels to reach grid parity with traditional energy sources. The proposed technology will also facilitate the development of numerous other applications for next generation thin film based products such as photonic crystals, nanotechnology, meta-materials, multi-junction solar cells, printing and counterfeiting control. This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).