Our main competence is research on crystallisation of solar cell silicon. We work with increasing the material properties of silicon related to defects like dislocations, grain boundaries and impurities. Additionally we have high competence on furnace technology and solidification that can both increase the material properties and reduce the production costs.

The crystallisation laboratories consist of facilities for casting both mono and multi-crystalline silicon for solar cells.

• Two Bridgman furnaces for directional solidification of solar grade silicon. The smaller one installed in clean room class 10000 facilities.
• A Czochralski furnace for pulling single crystal silicon.
  

On multi-crystalline silicon we can offer: - Customized directional solidification of MC-ingot of sizes from 12 kg, D250mm × H120mm, to 250 kg, 690mm × 690mm ×300mm - Testing of solar grade silicon feedstock - Controlled addition of elements to casts - Testing of new crucibles and coating materials - Variable heat flow regimes - Gas phase measurements - Purification of coating
On single-crystalline silicon we can offer: - Producing up to 4’’ diameter crystal with maximum charge size 15 kg - Testing of crucible and feedstock - R&D on recharging and semi continuous casting - Addition of elements and dopants - Hot zone development - Oxygen control
	Photo: Melinda Gaal

List of publications