16
Soldering
How did BTU penetrate the
operate at optimal throughput with
photovoltaic market?
maximum yield and minimum waste.
Overall, we aim to help the industry
Solar cell manufacture requires
lower the cost per watt of
several thermal steps, not unlike that
photovoltaics by incorporating our
of the semiconductor industry, where
rapid thermal processing furnace,
BTU has existing expertise. BTU
utilising near infrared heating
focused on the diffusion, APCVD
technology. Specialised features
coating and metallisation processes
include rapid heating via densely
with a range of in-line diffusion
spaced tungsten halogen lamps
furnaces. Three years ago BTU took
and rapid cooling rates offered
the decision to expand in the PV
by proprietary water cooling
sector to provide a mix of business
technology.
alongside electronics assembly.
In the search for new equipment,
manufacturers in the PV market are
partly driven by technology and partly www.btu.com
by cost. In electronics assembly our
products are always designed with
cost of ownership top of the agenda
and our objective here was the same:
to deliver improved technology, while
driving down the cost of investment in
capital equipment. The result was a
new in-line diffusion system and a
metallisation line, launched in 2007.
Tell us about the in-line
diffusion system?
BTU received the 2008 Global
Technology Award in the
environmentally friendly category for
its in-line diffusion system. The award
recognised our fused-quartz-lined
process chamber with phosphorous
doping technology, featuring an
ultrasonic direct spray phosphorous
doper that processes up to 1,500
wafers per hour.
The Meridian line furnace is
designed to provide thermal
uniformity, which is key to achieving
predictable, repeatable sheet
resistance values. The furnace
atmosphere control ensures
repeatability in the overall process
and a clean process environment
which is enhanced by the use of a
quartz lined process chamber. Two
conveyor widths and various process
chamber lengths also help address
throughput requirements.
By reducing wafer handling, the
diffusion system offers a real
opportunity to increase throughput
and yield, as well as improving
thermal uniformity. In-line solutions
are generating a lot of interest with
customers looking to ramp up
production without sacrificing
cell efficiency.
Explain BTU's partnership
with Dek in the
photovoltaic industry?
This partnership was formed in 2007
when we launched a complete
metallisation line, combining our high
performance drying and firing
systems with Dek's water and air
cooling technology. The equipment
provides a turnkey solar cell
metallisation solution, balanced to
November/December 2008 Electronics Assembly
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