Sputtering Materials has launched a copper indium gallium (CIG) target alloy and preselenization thin-film development service for the CIGS PV market.
The Reno, NV-based company has designed and assembled a developmental PVD chamber that features chromium and molybdenum targets and can be used to deposit thin films of Cr-Mo-CIG on glass or flexible substrates. The high-density (99%+), 2-inch-diameter × 0.25-inch-thick CIG planar target is utilized for testing target deposition and thin-film characteristics.
SMI said its three years of R&D experience with CIG and CIG-doped target materials have paved the way to the company’s high-performance planar CIG targets and developmental CIG deposition services. Casted targets offer high-density material that enable technicians greater control with better material utilization.
“We can now work with our customers to cast CIG targets in various alloys and test them in the chamber for them, with all the film results sent directly to our customer,” said Greg Howard, company VP. “We know how our material works; by enabling customers with developmental CIG films, they can focus on the challenge of how best to selenize the film and optimize their transparent conductive oxide layers.”
SMI said that it can produce a range of CIG alloys as well as perform in-house development of preselenized CIG film deposition. CIG alloy target development is done on a project basis, and the development of preselenized CIG coatings can be fast-tracked, according to the company.
