Hot PV measurements

As mentioned in yesterday’s R&D Daily, the Society of Vacuum Coaters Technical Conference at the Hyatt Regency Chicago this week focused on a variety of hot topics including the rapidly expanding area of photovoltaics (PVs). The more than 160 exhibitors also took advantage of the venue and audience to demonstrate their latest instruments and tools for vacuum technology applications.

Researchers at Horiba Jobin Yvon, Edison, N.J., displayed their Automated Spectroscopic Ellipsometer (AutoSE) for the first time at this show. The AutoSE is particularly suitable for analyzing PVs, flat panel displays, semiconductors, and the interfacial characteristics of a variety of other functional coatings. With its DeltaPsi2 software’s advanced measurement and analysis capabilities and a built-in materials database, the AutoSE can analyze samples in a fully automated mode where you just load the sample, push the run button, and get the results. Users have a choice of eight different automated spot sizes and the scan from 440 to 850 nm takes less than 1 sec. The spectrometer detector has a resolution of 2 nm. The software is ideal for the characterization of new samples. A complete report is provided that fully describes the thin film stack, including film thickness, optical constants, surface roughness, and film inhomogeneities.

The AutoSE includes an automatic XYZ stage and real-time imaging of the measurement site. Its patented and integrated MyAutoView vision system is mounted within the standard ellipsometer optics. This system allows the operator to view the sample spot at all times and for all sample types to ensure that the measurement is made at exactly the right position with the right spot size. The image provided has a field of view of approximately 1 mm and a resolution of 10 µm. It also includes built-in diagnostic indicators for the automatic detection and diagnosis of problems, along with a troubleshooting guide. While Horiba had an SE in its product lineup before, the new automated version which replaces that is likely to draw a lot of attention with its ease of use and expanded capabilities.

Resources:
Society of Vacuum Coaters, www.svc.org
Horiba Jobin Yvon, www.jobinyvon.com