• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.139-143
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• 2017

N-type crystalline silicon solar cells have high metal impurity tolerance and higher minority carrier lifetime that increases conversion efficiency. However, junction quality between the boron diffused layer and the n-type substrate is more important for increased efficiency. In this paper, the current status and prospects for boron diffused layers in N-type crystalline silicon solar cell applications are described. Boron diffused layer formation methods (thermal diffusion and co-diffusion using $a-SiO_X:B$), boron rich layer (BRL) and boron silicate glass (BSG) reactions, and analysis of the effects to improve junction characteristics are discussed. In-situ oxidation is performed to remove the boron rich layer. The oxidation process after diffusion shows a lower B-O peak than before the Oxidation process was changed into $SiO_2$ phase by FTIR and BRL. The $a-SiO_X:B$ layer is deposited by PECVD using $SiH_4$, $B_2H_6$, $H_2$, $CO_2$ gases in N-type wafer and annealed by thermal tube furnace for performing the P+ layer. MCLT (minority carrier lifetime) is improved by increasing $SiH_4$ and $B_2H_6$. When $a-SiO_X:B$ is removed, the Si-O peak decreases and the B-H peak declines a little, but MCLT is improved by hydrogen passivated inactive boron atoms. In this paper, we focused on the boron emitter for N-type crystalline solar cells.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.80-84
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• 2015

We suggest new emitter formation method using solid-phase epitaxy (SPE); solid-phase epitaxy emitter (SEE). This method expect simplification and cost reduction of process compared with furnace process (POCl3 or BBr3). The solid-phase epitaxy emitter (SEE) deposited a-Si:H layer by radio-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF-PECVD) on substrate (c-Si), then thin layer growth solid-phase epitaxy (SPE) using rapid thermal process (RTP). This is possible in various emitter profile formation through dopant gas ($PH_3$) control at deposited a-Si:H layer. We fabricated solar cell to apply solid-phase epitaxy emitter (SEE). Its performance have an effect on crystallinity of phase transition layer (a-Si to c-Si). We confirmed crystallinity of this with a-Si:H layer thickness and annealing temperature by using raman spectroscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry and transmission electron microscope. The crystallinity is excellent as the thickness of a-Si layer is thin (~50 nm) and annealing temperature is high (<$900^{\circ}C$). We fabricated a 16.7% solid-phase epitaxy emitter (SEE) cell. We anticipate its performance improvement applying thin tunnel oxide (<2nm).

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2005.07a
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• pp.414-415
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• 2005

A solar cell is an element to transform the solar light energy into the electric energy in a moment. The single crystal element of high quality on which many studies were conducted in the past has a high efficiency of energy transformation, but its price competitiveness is so poor that it has failed to be popularized However, recently, in terms of an environment-friendly alternative energy, studies on applicability of the polycrystal solar cell have been actively under way. Among subject substances for such solar cell, $CuInSe_2$ has several good physical properties so that the greatest attention is paid to it as an optical absorption layer material for a low-cost solar cell of high efficiency. In order to manufacture the $CuInSe_2$ compound thin film, the unit element was deposited by using the sputtering method and the evaporation method and the heat treatment process was used in an electric furnace. Thereby, we intended to get a single-phase $CuInSe_2$ compound thin film.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.97-97
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• 2013

Recently, Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSS), which is one of the In- and Ga- free absorber materials, has been attracted considerable attention as a new candidate for use as an absorber material in thin film solar cells. The CZTSS-based absorber material has outstanding characteristics such as band gap energy of 1.0 eV to 1.5 eV, high absorption coefficient on the order of 104 cm-1, and high theoretical conversion efficiency of 32.2% in thin film solar cells. Despite these promising characteristics, research into CZTSS based thin film solar cells is still incomprehensive and related reports are quite few compared to those for CIGS thin film solar cells, which show high efficiency of over 20%. I will briefly overview the recent technological development of CZTSS thin film solar cells and then introduce our research results mainly related to sputter based process. CZTSS thin film solar cells are prepared by sulfurization of stacked both metallic and sulfide precursors. Sulfurization process was performed in both furnace annealing system and rapid thermal processing system using S powder as well as 5% diluted H2S gas source at various annealing temperatures ranging from $520^{\circ}C$ to $580^{\circ}C$. Structural, optical, microstructural, and electrical properties of absorber layers were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Hall-measurement, TRPL, etc. The effects of processing parameters, such as composition ratio, sulfurization pressure, and sulfurization temperature on the properties of CZTSS absorber layers will be discussed in detail. CZTSS thin film solar cell fabricated using metallic precursors shows maximum cell efficiency of 6.9% with Jsc of 25.2 mA/cm2, Voc of 469 mV, and fill factor of 59.1% and CZTS thin film solar cell using sulfide precursors shows that of 4.5% with Jsc of 19.8 mA/cm2, Voc of 492 mV, and fill factor of 46.2%. In addition, other research activities in our lab related to the formation of CZTS absorber layers using solution based processes such as electro-deposition, chemical solution deposition, nano-particle formation will be introduced briefly.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.178-181
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• 2008

Cylindrical stainless-steel/sodium heat pipe for a high-temperature application was manufactured and tested for transient and steady-state operations. The container material was made of stainless-steel 316, and the working fluid was sodium. Stainless-steel 316 mesh screen was inserted as a capillary structure. The working fluid fill charge ratio was approximately 64 $\sim$ 181% based on the pore space of the wick. The outer diameter of the heat pipe was 12.7 mm and the total length was 250 mm. The evaporator part was 150 mm and the condenser 80 mm. The performance test of the heat pipe has been conducted in the furnace with up to 800 W. The variation of the average heat transfer coefficient was investigated as a function of heat flux and vapor temperature. As input thermal load increased, it was showed that difference of temperatures in evaporator and condenser decreased and that operating section and heat transfer characteristics at the heat pipe increased.

• 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.04a
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• pp.102-108
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• 2009

Fossil power plants firing lower grade coals or equipped with modified system for NOx controls are challenged with maintaining good combustion conditions while maximizing generation and minimizing emissions. In many cases significant derate, availability losses and increase in unburned carbon levels can be attributed to poor combustion conditions as a result of poorly controlled local fuel and air distribution within the boiler furnace. In order to develop a on-line combustion tuning system, field test was conducted at operating power boiler. During the field test the exhaust gases' $O_2$, NOx and CO was monitored by using a spatially distributed monitoring grid located in the boiler's high temperature vestibule and upper convective back-pass region. At these locations, the flue gas flow is still significantly stratified, and air in-leakage is minimal which enables tracing of poor combustion zones to specific burners and over-fire air ports. using these monitored information we can improving combustion at every point within the furnace, therefore the boiler can operate at reduced excess $O_2$ and gas temperature deviation, reduced furnace exit gas temperature levels while also reducing localized hot spots, corrosive gas conditions, slag or clinker formation and UBC. Benefits include improving efficiency, reducing NOx emissions, increasing output and maximizing availability. Discussion concerning the reduction of greenhouse gases is prevalent in the world. When taking a practical approach to addressing this problem, the best way and short-term solution to reduce greenhouse gases on coal-fired power plants is to improve efficiency. From this point of view the real time optimized combustion tuning approach is the most effective and implemented with minimal cost.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.42.2-42.2
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• 2010

Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are of significant importance for their applications in various devices, such as light-emitting diodes, thin-film solar cells, organic light-emitting diodes, liquid crystal displays, and so on. In order for TCOs to contribute to the performance improvement of these devices, TCOs should have high transmittance and good electrical properties simultaneously. Sn-doped $In_2O_3$ (ITO) is the most commonly used TCO. However, indium is toxic and scarce in nature. Thus, ZnO has attracted a lot of attention because of the possibility for replacing ITO. In particular, group III impurity-doped ZnO showed the optoelectronic properties comparable to those of ITO electrodes. Al-doped ZnO exhibited the best performance among various doped ZnO films because of the high substitutional doping efficiency. However, in order for the Al-doped ZnO to replace ITO in electronic devices, their electrical and optical properties should further significantly be improved. In this connection, different ways such as a variation of deposition conditions, different deposition techniques, and post-deposition annealing processes have been investigated so far. Among the deposition methods, RF magnetron sputtering has been extensively used because of the easiness in controlling deposition parameters and its fast deposition rate. In addition, when combined with post-deposition annealing in a reducing ambient, the optoelectronic properties of Al-doped ZnO films were found to be further improved. In this presentation, we deposited Al-doped ZnO (ZnO:$Al_2O_3$ = 98:2 wt%) thin films on the glass and sapphire substrates using RF magnetron sputtering as a function of substrate temperature. In addition, the ZnO samples were annealed in different conditions, e.g., rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at $900^{\circ}C$ in $N_2$ ambient for 1 min, tube-furnace annealing at $500^{\circ}C$ in $N_2:H_2$=9:1 gas flow for 1 hour, or RTA combined with tube-furnace annealing. It is found that the mobilities and carrier concentrations of the samples are dependent on growth temperature followed by one of three subsequent post-deposition annealing conditions.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.124.1-124.1
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• 2011

결정질 태양전지에서 도핑(Doping)은 반도체(Semiconductor)의 PN 접합(Junction)을 형성하는 중요한 역할을 한다. 도핑은 반도체에 불순물(Dopant)을 주입하는 공정으로 고온에서 진행되며 온도는 중요한 변수(Parameter)로 작용한다. 본 연구에서는 여러 가지 도핑 방법 중 SOD(Spin-On Dopant)를 이용하여 온도에 따른 도핑 결과와 특성을 분석 하였다. P-type 웨이퍼(Wafer)에 SOD를 이용하여 불순물을 증착 후 Hot-plate에서 15분간 Baking 하였다. Baking된 웨이퍼는 노(Furnace)에 넣고 $860^{\circ}C{\sim}880^{\circ}C$까지 $10^{\circ}C$씩 가변하였다. 각각의 조건에 대해 Lifetime과 Sheet Resistance을 측정하였고, 그 결과 $880^{\circ}C$에서의 Lifetime이 $23.58{\mu}s$로 $860^{\circ}C$에 비해 235.8% 증가하여 가장 우수 하였으며, Sheet Resistance 또한 $68{\Omega}$/sq로 $860^{\circ}C$에서 가장 우수하게 측정되었다. SOD의 속도 가변에 따른 특성 변화를 보기 위해 온도는 $880^{\circ}C$에 고정한 후 속도를 3000rpm~4500rpm까지 500rpm간격으로 1시간동안 실험한 결과 rpm 속도에 따른 lifetime 변화는 거의 없었으며, Sheet Resistance는 3000rpm에서 $63{\Omega}$/sq로 가장 우수 하였다. 본 연구를 통해 온도와 Spin rpm에 따른 특성을 확인한 결과 온도가 높을 때 Sheet Resistance가 가장 안정화 되며, lifetime이 더욱 우수한 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

This paper explained about the sludge recycling system which retrieved the silicon and abrasive from solar cell wafer slicing. The basic process of the recycling system was multiple centrifuge and secondary processes of ultra sonic agitation, addition of alcohol-water solution and heating sludge was added for raising separation efficiency. The recycling rate was about 96% and 94% for 2N, 4N silicon respectively. The SiC abrasive recycling rate was about 80%. To retrieve the high purity of 4N silicon, the heat process in vacuum furnace was added to remove remaining impurity components.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.341-353
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• 2016

Manufactures of multi-crystalline silicon ingots by means of the directional solidification system (DSS) is important to the solar photovoltaic (PV) cell industry. The quality of the ingots, including the grain size and morphology, is highly related to the shape of the crystal-melt interface during the crystal growth process. We performed numerical simulations to analyze the thermo-fluid field and the shape of the crystal-melt interface both for steady conditions and transient processes. The steady simulations are first validated and then applied to improve the hot zone design in the furnace. The numerical results reveal that, an additional guiding plate weakens the strength of vortex and improves the desired profile of the crystal-melt interface. Based on the steady solutions at an early stage, detailed transient processes of crystal growth can be simulated. Accuracy of the results is supported by comparing the evolutions of crystal heights with the experimental measurements. The excellent agreements demonstrate the applicability of the present numerical methods in simulating a practical and complex system of directional solidification system.