Impurity analyses of silicon wafers from different manufacturing routes and their impact on LID of finished solar cells

Summarizes the measurements of impurity concentrations in directionally solidified silicon ingots from different feedstocks. The substitutional Carbon and interstitial Oxygen are measured on as-sawn wafers using FTIR. Active iron concentration is mapped on a-Si:H passivated wafers. It is observed that these impurities present in Elkem Solar Grade Silicon (ESS™) concentrations are comparable to the standard polysilicon which are in the acceptable ranges for silicon for solar industry. The measured LID of the finished solar cells is also comparable.