Dip-Coating Fabrication of Solar Cells

Inexpensive silicon solar cells made by simple dip technique. Cooling shoes direct flow of helium on graphite-coated ceramic substrate to solidify film of liquid silicon on graphite surface as substrate is withdrawn from molten silicon. After heaters control cooling of film and substrate to prevent cracking. Gas jets exit at points about 10 mm from substrate surfaces and 6 to 10 mm above melt surface.