The formation of shallow p-n junctions on micro and nano pillars with spin-on dopants for application in solar cells

This thesis will detail the concept and process flow for fabricating vertical nanopillars based solar cells with core-shell and/or axial shallow p-n junctions formed using spin-on-dopant (SOD) solutions. Thin film and nanopillars based solar cells have been shown to be desirable alternatives to bulk materials. Micro and nano structure solar cells can be fabricated on single crystal substrates and transferred onto secondary substrates that are inexpensive and often flexible. The use of off-the-shelf commercial SODs in forming shallow junctions have not been extensively investigated and documented compared to some of the other uses, such as in source-drain doping of MOSFETs on SOI. This technology is considered a third generation technology and as such is still in the research stage, but it looks quite promising. This research is an attempt to detail this process.;This work will show that shallow junctions can be created using SOD and this method will be explored for application in solar cells. This fabrication method is low cost and could easily be adjusted to a high throughput process. By providing a low cost method to transfer devices from one substrate to another, this methodology offers a promising technique to create single crystal solar cells on flexible substrates such, as plastic.