Laser Direct Writing on Glass

Laser Direct Writing on thin film panels is ideal for tracking the life of the panel and what variables may occur while in the real environments. Advanced Solar Photonics' product can create the black, semi-transparent, and gold marking without Thermark tape or spray that must be cleaned after use. Traditional engraving or etching will compromise the overall strength and quality of the glass, potentially leading to panel issues in the future. ASP has developed a non destructive laser marking technology (patent pending) to mark glass in a way that does not damage the surface yet produces a readable image with no cleaning or post processing required.

Application Newsletter - Scribing Silicon Solar Cells

A solar cell is a large area electronic device that converts solar energy into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. Solar cells are made of crystalline silicon or thin-film and are classified into three generations which indicates the order of which each became important.

For this application, silicon-based solar cells were scribed on an Advanced Solar Photonics’ Blackstar™ machine using a pulsed fiber laser (1064nm, 1mj@20kHz). The 125x125mm cells were processed at a speed of 40mm/second and then, they were broken into pieces by hand. The BlackStar™ is a Wafer Dicing System utilizing Fantom Wafer Dicing Technology™ (FWDT™) invented and patented by ASP’s parent company, Fonon Technology International.

Solar panels have the highest value at the dicing stage which is a direct function of the BlackStar.™ ASP’s BlackStar™ increases the yield per panel and maximizes throughput while minimizing the heat affected zone (HAZ) specifically for solar cells and low-K substrates. This system is used for dicing many semiconductor materials and silicon composites in solar panel production producing wafers three to five times mechanically stronger without additional edge processing.

The BlackStar™ is the alternative to mechanical saws which may damage thin and complex solar cell materials and substrates while cutting. With the BlackStar™ there will be no micro cracks, fragmentation or chipping. It's plug and play characteristics gives the system ease of installation and quick start up times.

Advanced Solar Photonics is the cutting-edge developer of laser equipment for solar panel processing, thin-film solar cells, and commercial solar products for the solar industry. Our various technologies can increase production and efficiency, minimize waste, and in some cases, increase the overall efficiency of the PV cells. For more information, visit http://www.advancedsolarphotonics.com/ or call direct (407) 829-2613.

Advanced Solar Photonics Unveils Thin-Film Laser Scribing System with Multi-head Gantry

Advanced Solar Photonics, the cutting-edge developer of laser equipment for solar panel processing, thin-film solar cells, and commercial solar products for the solar industry announced today the latest addition to their Solar Line – the SL 2009, a thin-film photovoltaic solid state laser scribing system with a multi-head gantry.

The SL 2009 is a fully automated solution that was designed for full production photovoltaic manufacturing environments. It offers a fast, flexible, and accurate means to scribe thin-film solar panels. Featuring a multi-head gantry, the SL 2009 is ideal for applications which require not only speed, but precision processing. Additionally, the SL 2009 presents the ability to process various substrates at different wavelengths and in a variety of sizes.

The SL 2009 can be fitted with multiple scan heads, each with a micro optic beam splitter. Each beam splitter makes it possible for one laser beam to be split into 10 individual beams through the scan head. These individual beams can comb through glass coatings creating scribes lines. Utilizing a gantry system, the SL 2009 enables substrates to be rapidly transported at a speed of up to 2 meters per second, thus increasing throughput. The SL 2009 can be easily configured to meet the customers’ specific needs including the ability to process various substrates in a variety of sizes, from 2x4 to Generation 8 and larger. Furthermore, the SL 2009 enables operators to process substrates at different wavelengths, dependent on the applications and materials being processed.

“The SL 2009 scribing system features the latest technological developments and further solidifies Advanced Solar Photonics position as the leader in the development of photovoltaic laser systems,” said Edgardo Rodriquez, Vice President of sales for Advanced Solar Photonics. “Manufacturers looking to significantly increase throughput will be impressed with the SL 2009 and its multi-head gantry system.”

About Advanced Solar Photonics:
Advanced Solar Photonics is the cutting-edge developer of laser equipment for solar panel processing, thin-film solar cells, and commercial solar products for the photovoltaic industry. Our laser equipment performs edge isolation, deletion, glass scribing, coating removal, laser marking and cutting. Our thin-film solar panels are produced using our proven patented method and expertise gained first hand to manufacture panels with one of the highest thin-film efficiencies and low cost per kilowatt hour. Additionally, ASP has created commercial equipment, like the solar tower, utilizing our thin-film panels. Our various technologies can increase production and efficiency, minimize waste, and in some cases, increase the overall efficiency of the PV cells. For more information, visit http://www.advancedsolarphotonics.com/ or call direct (407) 829-2613

Application Newsletter - Edge Isolation, Line Deletion, and Scribing on Glass

Moly top sheets of glass were processed using Advanced Solar Photonics' FL600 equipped with a short-pulse fiber laser with a 420mm focal length lens. The edge isolation was simulated, marking a 5mm line deletion as close to the edge as currently available with the current hardware setup in the lab. Also, along with the edge isolation 10 lines were scribed with approximately 50 micron line width. The glass was processed in 1190.20 seconds at a speed of 20 inches per second for the edge isolation and 60 inches per second for line deletion. Frequency: 20 kHz (edge isolation) 80 kHz (line deletion)

FL600 is capable of performing edge isolation, deletion and patterning on indium tin oxide (ITO), TCO, TO, anti-reflective coatings on glass and PET plastic film needed in the silicon and thin-film industries. This system makes the process environmentally safe as no special chemicals are required. This reduces the number of processing steps compared to conventional technology and it also minimizes overall production time and cost per unit.

WATCH the FL600 in action NOW!

Advanced Solar Photonics is the cutting-edge developer of laser equipment for solar panel processing, thin-film solar cells, and commercial solar products for the solar industry. Our various technologies can increase production and efficiency, minimize waste, and in some cases, increase the overall efficiency of the PV cells. For more information, visit http://www.advancedsolarphotonics.com/ or call direct (407) 829-2613.