Sputtering Materials aims CIG planar targets at the mainstream

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Sputtering Materials has released new analytical results showing improvements in high density (99 %+) CIG planar targets for thin film solar manufacturers. In particular the results are aimed at improving the deposition of CIG based films and assisting companies into volume production. The company said that it has spent over three years developing a process for casting CIG and CIG doped targets for research and production, SMI is also working on similarly difficult alloys to cast.

“The experience we have gained developing CIG PVD targets over the past 3 and a half years has given us valuable experience that helped refine our planar targets into the industry leading quality material that thin film CIGS manufacturers can depend on,” said Greg Howard, Vice President of Sputtering Materials, Inc. Planar target sizes range from 2″ dia to 6″ dia and up to 6″ x 6″ tile casting for multi-tile CIG target assemblies. SMI can also provide larger custom sizes on a development basis.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Sputtering Materials believes that casted targets offer a greater deposited material density enabling greater control and better material utilization.

Image 1: SEM/EDS (Area) Image of Casted CIG Planar Target with 500 micron scale.Note: the black specks in the image are Silicon media used in sample preparation.

Image 2:  Summary results

  Element                                            Weight %
  Silicon                                                2.8
  Copper                                             39.7
  Gallium                                            10.5
  Indium                                            47.0

Read Next

July 1, 2025
A five-year research initiative is underway in Australia to test the viability of floating solar systems on irrigation dams.
Premium
June 30, 2025
Solargis CEO Marcel Suri explores three areas where new standards could help underpin greater efficiency, accuracy and market resilience.
June 30, 2025
Heliene has completed the sale of Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credits in association with Minnesota-based U.S. Bank.
June 30, 2025
Eni subsidiary Plentiude has started operations at the northern block of its 330MW Renopool solar portfolio in Spain.
June 30, 2025
Voting on the US tax reconciliation bill is expected to begin in the Senate today, following a draft published on Friday that hit clean energy tax credits hard.
June 30, 2025
The Spanish government has launched a €100 million (US$117 million) aid programme to help promote the recycling and reuse of materials from renewable energy projects.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
July 2, 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece