USING METHODS COMPATIBLE WITH SOLAR CELL FABRICATION-

THIS PROJECT WILL EXPLORE NEW METHODS OF FABRICATING THE RECENTLY REPORTED CONDUCTIVE POLYMER, POLY (ISOTHIANAPHTHENE) (PITN). WHEN ELECTROCHEMICALLY FORMED FILMS OF PITN ARE DOPED, THEY HAVE A HIGH CONDUCTIVITY AND ARE HIGHLY TRANSPARENT IN THE VISIBLE PORTION OF THE SPECTRUM. BECAUSE THE POLYMER FILM CAN BE PRODUCED AT LOW TEMPERATURES, IT OFFERS AN ALTER- NATIVE TO THE PRESENTLY USED WIDE-BANDGAP SEMICONDUCTING OXIDES AS THE TOP TRANSPARENT CONDUCTIVE COATING ON CELLS. IF PITN FILMS ARE TO BECOME ECONOMICALLY ATTRACTIVE, HOWEVER, METHODS MUST BE DEVELOPED THAT CAN BE SCALED UP TO COAT LARGE AREAS IN A REPRODUCIBLE MANNER AT LOW COST. SEVERAL ALTERNATIVE METHODS TO ELECTROCHEMICAL FORMATION OF PITN WILL BE STUDIED. THESE INCLUDE CONVENTIONAL SPRAY OR SPIN COATING AND NOVEL PHOTOCHEMICAL GAS-PHASE DEPOSITION. A FIGURE OF MERIT FOR THE FILMS WILL BE CALCULATED FROM THE OPTICAL TRANSMISSION SPECTRA AND THE CONDUCTIVITY OF THE FILMS THAT ARE PREPARED. THE VALUES OBTAINED WILL BE COMPARED WITH THOSE OF ELECTROCHEMICALLY PREPARED PITN FILMS AND TRANSPARENT CONDUCTIVE OXIDES.