Coupling a laser into a hair thin water micro jet (Laser Micro Jet, LMJ) for cutting applications offers a wide range of
processes that are quite unique. As the laser beam is guided by internal reflections inside of a liquid cylinder, the cuts are
naturally straight and do not reflect any divergence as otherwise occurs with an unguided laser beam. Furthermore,
having a liquid media at the point of contact ensures a fast removal of heat and eventual debris ensuring clean cuts,
which are free of any burrs. Many applications have indeed been developed for a large variety of materials, which are as
different as e.g. diamond, silicon, aluminum, ceramic and hard metals.
The photovoltaic industry has enjoyed in the last decades tremendous growth rates, which are still projected into the
future. We focus here on the segment of Building Integrated PV (BIPV), which requests tailored solutions to actual
buildings and not-one-fits-it-all standardized modules. Having the option to tailor cut solar cells opens a new field of
BIPV applications.
For the first time, finished crystalline solar cells have been LMJ cut into predetermined shapes. First results show that the
cut is clean and neat. Preliminary solar performance measurements are positive. This opens a new avenue of tailored
made modules instead of having to rely on the one-fits-alloy approach used so far.
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