Thin film silicon solar cells grown near the edge of amorphous to microcrystalline transition

Thin films of silicon can be grown by glow-discharge decomposition of silane and hydrogen. As the hydrogen dilution increases, a transition from amorphous to microcrystalline phase takes place. The regime below and above this edge has been found to be most suitable for making high efficiency amorphous and microcrystalline solar cells. In this paper I outline the status of material research, cell performance and manufacturing of thin film silicon grown near the edge of amorphous to microcrystalline transition. 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.