Electrochemical methods to analyse the light-induced plating process

This study deals with some specific characteristics that the light-induced plating (LIP) process, which is used for the metallisation of solar cells, exhibits compared to classical electroplating processes. We contribute to the general understanding of LIP (multiple electrodes, influence of light) with some basic experiments and propose a simplified equivalent circuit scheme. We also address the challenge of process control through potential and current without external connection of the working electrode (front side grid). In this article, we show a possibility to determine the absolute potential of the front side grid for relevant process parameters. Furthermore, we present a method that allows the measurement of the mean current density at the front side grid during the process, which has a great influence on the plating result.