4U04 Solid State (Solar Cell) Laboratories

Term l - 2011/2012

Faculty coordinator:
Dr R. N. Kleiman

Laboratory:
JHE/A304

FINAL REPORT INSTRUCTIONS (pdf)

LAB SUPERVISOR:
Peter Jonasson

TA's:

Chris Haapamaki
Justin Sacks
Joey Pavlovski

SCHEDULE

Background:
Photovoltaics are semiconductors that generate DC power when exposed to illumination. Since the 1970s, scientists and engineers have been able to demonstrate that a considerable amount of energy can be derived from photovoltaics in a sustainable and pollution-free manner. Furthermore, this technology offers numerous advantages over other power generation technologies including low operating costs, no moving parts, and the fact that cells can be installed at nearly any point-of-use. This lab will consist of learning common micro-fabrication techniques, such as photolithography and metallization, to create solar cells.

Documentation:
Lab manual amended (pdf)
Material Safety Data Sheets, M.S.D.S.

Grading:

The labs will start the week of Monday, September 19th.

Safety Reports:

The report must be completed and submitted individually.

The Safety Report must be completed handed in when you report for your first lab. You will not be allowed to work in the lab until the report is completed.

Since much of the processing involves hazardous materials (concentrated acids, solvents, hydrofluoric acid), high temperature processes (up to 1200C), it is absolutely necessary that all safety equipment and procedures, as indicated in the manual or designated by the T.A. or LAB SUPERVISOR, are used without exception. Failure to operate in a safe manner will result in you being banned from the laboratory and a zero grade assigned.

Safety Considerations (pdf)

Preliminary Report:

Due Friday, October 1st by noon in the 3rd floor drop box next to the elevators in the JHE Annex

Preliminary Report (pdf)
Wang et al (pdf)

Processing Module Reports:

Module 1 (pdf) due Friday October 21st, at noon
Module 2 (pdf) due Friday November 11th, at noon
Module 3 (pdf) due Tuesday December 6th, at noon

FINAL REPORT:

The report is to be handed to the course instructor anytime up to Friday January 6th 2012 at noon. Late reports will receive a grade of zero. You are encouraged to email the instructor to make an appointment to hand to him the report on time.

The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes.

POLICY REMINDERS:
Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or by other fraudulent means and can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: "Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty"), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.
It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various kinds of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, specifically Appendix 3, located at http://www.mcmaster.ca/senate/academic/ac_integrity.htm

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

1. Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one's own or for which other credit has been obtained.
2. Improper collaboration in group work.
3. Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

The Faculty of Engineering is concerned with ensuring an environment that is free of all adverse discrimination. If there is a problem that cannot be resolved by discussion among the persons concerned, individuals are reminded that they should contact their Department Chair, the Sexual Harassment Officer or the Human Rights Consultant, as soon as possible.