Photovoltaics V: amorphous silicon cells: A highly homogeneous amorphous semiconductor material promises low-cost solar cells

Briefly describes the historical development of amorphous silicon, produced from a glow discharge in silane gas, which was found to be highly homogeneous and having very few defect states. This material at present is being investigated for low-cost solar cell production by the deposition of thin films onto a substrate because the manufacturing process is cheaper, less silicon is used per cell and the process is very suitable for mass production.