Crystal Growth of Si Ingots for Solar Cells Using Cast Furnaces is the first book written to both comprehensively describe these concepts and technologies and compare the strengths and weaknesses of various techniques. Readers will learn about the basic growth and characterization of Si crystals, including sections on the history of cast methods for Si ingots for solar cells. Methods discussed include the dendrite cast method, as well as other significant technologies, including the high-performance (HP) cast and mono-like cast methods. These concepts, growth mechanisms, growth technologies, and the problems that still need to be solved are all included in this comprehensive volume. - Covers the concept of crystal growth, providing an understanding of each growth method - Discusses the quality of Si ingot, mainly from the viewpoint of crystal defects and their control - Reviews fundamental characterization concepts to discern the quality of ingots and wafers - Discusses concepts and technologies to establish a low-temperature region in a Si melt using the NOC method in order to obtain a uniform and large Si single ingot with low stress

This book, a continuation of the series “Advances in Materials Research,” is intended to provide the general basis of the science and technology of crystal growth of silicon for solar cells. In the face of the destruction of the global environment,the degradationofworld-widenaturalresourcesandtheexha- tion of energy sources in the twenty-?rst century, we all have a sincere desire for a better/safer world in the future. In these days, we strongly believe that it is important for us to rapidly developanewenvironment-friendlycleanenergyconversionsystemusingsolar energyastheultimatenaturalenergysource. Forinstance,mostofournatural resources and energy sources will be exhausted within the next 100 years. Speci?cally, the consumption of oil, natural gas, and uranium is a serious problem. Solar energy is the only ultimate natural energy source. Although 30% of total solar energy is re?ected at the earth’s surface, 70% of total solar energy can be available for us to utilize. The available solar energy amounts to severalthousand times larger than the world’s energy consumption in 2000 of about 9,000 Mtoe (M ton oil equivalent). To manage 10% of the world’s energy consumption at 2050 by solar energy, we must manufacture 40 GW solar cells per year continuously for 40 years. The required silicon feedstock is about 400,000 ton per year. We believe that this is an attainable target, since it can be realized by increasing the world production of silicon feedstock by 12times asmuchasthe presentproductionat2005.

New advanced materials are being rapidly developed, thanks to the progress of science. These are making our daily life more convenient. The Institute for Materials Research (IMR) at Tohoku University has greatly contributed for to the creation and development of various advanced materials and the progress in the ?eld of material science for almost a century. For example, our early research achievements on the physical metallurgy of iron carbon alloys led to the innovation of technology for making high-quality steels, which has greatly contributed to the advancement of the steel and related industry in Japan and rest of the world. IMR has focused on basic research that can be translated into applications in the future, for the bene?t of mankind. With this tradition, we have established the ?rst high-magnetic ?eld as well as low-temperature technologies in Japan, which were essential to the - vancement of magnetism and superconductivity. Recently, IMR has expanded its research in the ?eld of advanced materials including metallic glasses, - ramics, nano-structural metals, semiconductors, solar cell crystals, new op- andspin-electronicsmaterials,organicmaterials,hydrogenstoragealloys,and shaped crystals. Inthefaceofthecrisisofthedestructionoftheglobalenvironment,the- pletion of world-wide natural resources, and the exhaustion of energy sources in the twenty-?rst century, we all have an acute/serious desire for a b- ter/safer world in the future. IMR has been and will continue the pursuit of research aimed at solving global problems and furthering eco-friendly dev- opment.

A Veeco resistance heated Czochralski crystal growing furnace was redesigned to allow for the in-situ casting of semicrystalline silicon ingots. The casting technique that is being employed in this program is based upon the Bridgeman technique of crystal growth. Samples of metallurgical grade silicon have been obtained from Ohio-Ferro Alloys corporation and preparation of this material has begun for incorporation into the experimental castings. Initial casting experiments have commenced using pure semiconductor grade silicon to establish a base line process for later experiments which will employ metallurgical grade silicon.

Published in association with the International Solar Energy Society, this four-volume set focusses on the latest research and development initiatives of experts involved in one of the fundamental issues facing society today: the global energy problem.

The utilization of sun light is one of the hottest topics in sustainable energy research. To efficiently convert sun power into a reliable energy – electricity – for consumption and storage, silicon and its derivatives have been widely studied and applied in solar cell systems. This handbook covers the photovoltaics of silicon materials and devices, providing a comprehensive summary of the state of the art of photovoltaic silicon sciences and technologies. This work is divided into various areas including but not limited to fundamental principles, design methodologies, wafering techniques/fabrications, characterizations, applications, current research trends and challenges. It offers the most updated and self-explanatory reference to all levels of students and acts as a quick reference to the experts from the fields of chemistry, material science, physics, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, solar energy, etc..