초록 ▼

Competitive current generation by the exploitation of solar energy requires cheap solar cells. A process is described which makes it possible to manufacture from silicon a base material for solar cells of this type in an economical manner and in large quantities. This is achieved by bringing silicon

Competitive current generation by the exploitation of solar energy requires cheap solar cells. A process is described which makes it possible to manufacture from silicon a base material for solar cells of this type in an economical manner and in large quantities. This is achieved by bringing silicon from a supply container into contact with a non-elemental lubricating melt, which is immiscible with silicon but will not wet silicon and has a melting point below that of silicon, and by drawing off a silicon film, sliding on this lubricating melt, and solidifying the silicon continuously by cooling to below its\melting point.

대표청구항 ▼

In a process for the manufacture of granular crystalline silicon sheets of preferred orientation, having a thickness of between 0.2 and 2 mm and suitable for use as a base material for solar cells, wherein a silicon melt is brought into contact with a second molten phase and is subsequently allowed

In a process for the manufacture of granular crystalline silicon sheets of preferred orientation, having a thickness of between 0.2 and 2 mm and suitable for use as a base material for solar cells, wherein a silicon melt is brought into contact with a second molten phase and is subsequently allowed to solidify, the improvement comprising the steps of: charging a pulling vessel with molten elemental silicon and a non-elemental lubricating melt which is immiscible with silicon but will wet silicon and has a melting point below that of silicon; supercooling at least one wall of said pulling vessel to 5°to 100°C. below the melting point of silicon; and continuously drawing off an elemental silicon film solidifying on said cooled wall but separated from said wall by a thin layer of the lubricating melt.