Singulus introduces CIGs and CdTe tools
German firm Singulus Technologies has introduced and installed inline sputtering systems for CIGS and CdTe thin-film solar cell production as well as tasks for the manufacturing of heterojunction cells.
The systems are available with vertical as well as horizontal substrate transport and can be configured for various substrate sizes, according to the company. They also suit challenging layer stacks and flexible product mixes.
The systems use an inline process in which the substrates are transported on a special designed conveyor system on flat carriers through the system. The carriers can be configured flexibly for different substrate formats and materials e.g. solar wafers. Different automation options for loading and unloading are available.
The Vistaris system with vertical substrate transport and the Histaris system with horizontal transport had been designed to enhance the efficiency of thin-film solar cells, while cutting production costs by using the state-of-the-art technologies. The machines bring the user the advantage of outstandingly even coating thicknesses and highly homogeneous coatings. Cell performance is appreciably improved.
A modular, compact structure significantly reduces the production area taken up and therefore cuts the investment outlay, says Singulus.
Through its production systems, Singulus Technologies already supplies wet-chemical processing, coating machines and selenisation systems for second-generation CIGS/CIS cells. Inline sputtering systems add a further production stage to the portfolio, which already spans the key processes of CIGS/CIS cell production.
In light of the anticipated volume of investment in production lines for CIGS/CIS thin-film solar cells, Singulus believes the long-term prospects of the solar segment to be bright. Through its new system concepts and innovative processes, the company is promoting the development of solar technology, which will play an increasingly important role in the global energy mix.
