FlexiCoat SC Solar Cell Coating System

FlexiCoat SC is designed to form Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO) layers in thin film solar cell manufacturing using high temperature ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. ITO, SnO2, ZnO and CdO are sprayed using ultrasonic nozzle technology, depositing materials in solution onto heated substrates using a high temperature heat plate (up to 500 degrees C). Ultrasonic spray technology is highly cost effective compared to CVD and sputtering or other vapor deposition processes, creating near the same cell efficiencies at a fraction of the cost for manufacturing equipment.

FlexiCoat SC can also be used for anti-reflection coatings and applying active layers and polymers such as CIS, CIGS, CdTE, DSC inks, amorphous Silicon, Quantum Dots, PCBM, P3HD and P3HT.

A complete ultrasonic spray solution, this system features a low oxygen (less than 3%), fully sealed spray chamber with 1/2″ lexan windows for safely spraying solvents at high temperatures. Sono-Tek’s patented ultrasonic atomizing nozzles are fully integrated and easily configured to customize spray patterns for your specific application. Spray patterns range from 0.08 – 2″ wide (2 – 50 mm). A high temperature heat plate (up to 500 degrees Celsius) is used to heat substrates prior to ultrasonic coating, resulting in uniform pyrolyzed TCO layers such as Indium or Zinc metal compounds formed on thin film solar cell substrates. This RTP coating technique allows the ability to control desired morphology characteristics.

Advantages over sputtering, vapor or pulsed deposition include:

• Ultrasonic deposition is a less expensive, simpler process
• Easier to scale, requiring no vacuum and less gas for processing
• Coatings are uniform, thin and crack-free, with high transmittance and conductive properties.

FlexiCoat SC System features:

• 3″ x 3″ (76 mm x 76 mm) hot plate – up to 500 degrees C
• Robust 3/4″ spray chamber with 1/2″ lexan windows
• Operator safety door lock function that prevents access to chamber until a safe atmosphere temperature is reached
• Redundant low oxygen/temperature monitors to assure safe conditions
• Programmable X and Y axes – 18″ x 18″ (450 mm x 450 mm) motion of spray platform (manual Z adjust)
• Gas cooling of chamber, ultrasonic nozzle and servo motors.