Châtelet

As part of a test line for photovoltic cell manufacturing, this device was an induction-heated, two-step, vacuum sulfurizing furnace and one of the stations in a CIGS production line. Coated glass would enter this thermal evaporator to react with sulfur under rapid heating (hence induction) and medium vacuum. The image above represents a simple illustration of the furnace and how the glass substrate would enter.

How doeas a CIGS solar cell work?

CIGS (Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenide) is a process for thin film solar cell manufacturing technology described in this video:

My Contribution

As an engineer at TCTech in 2009, I was responsible for mechanical design, development, and test of this production line station.

RTP (Rapid Thermal Processing) Oven

The aim of sulfurization during rapid heating was to minimize process cycle times and still maintain substrate uniformity. It was also considered a promising experiment method to eventually phase out cadmuim from the process.

• Design for repetitive medium vacuum applications
• Design with pneumatics and PLC integration
• Technical drawings, inspections, assembly and tests
• Oil-cooled blocks for minimal expansion