Tosho’s TCO Sputtering Targets Achieve High Solar Cell Efficiency

Tosoh SMD has added an advanced transparent conducting oxide (TCO) target to its range of sputtering targets. The new TCO target is capable of achieving greater solar cell efficiencies when compared to standard targets.

The targets are available in both rotary and planar configurations with aluminum zinc oxide (AZO) or indium tin oxide (ITO) composition. Their performance is enhanced with additives, which improve their optical properties with improved transparency. The thin film applied results in increased conversion efficiency by more than one point over traditional TCO targets.

For application in thin-film solar devices, TCO targets require an unfaltering combination of electrical, mechanical and optical properties along with the stability to cater to the constant and increasing expectation of the manufacturer. The advanced AZO and ITO TCO targets provide films that have a greater degree of transparency in the visible and infrared range and are stable in fluctuating thermal and humid condition.

Tosoh's targets facilitate the deposition of textured surfaces for improved light trapping capability.