Graduates Voice
【Research at Ohdaira-Lab】
Development of thin film passivation for crystalline silicon wafer by using catalytic chemical vapor deposition (Cat-CVD) and catalytic doping.
Please introduce your present job
My name is Cham Thi Trinh, I am working as postdoc researcher in the Institute for Silicon Photovoltaics, Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany. My research focuses on the development of interdigitated back contact silicon heterojunction solar cells using high-quality liquid-phase crystallized multicrystalline silicon formed by laser crystallization on glass. My main works are fabricating solar cell, characterising cell performance using optical and electrical measurements and device simulation to analysis loss mechanism, finding the ways to approach high efficiency solar cell.
Story of your student life in JAIST
Working on green energy and environmental area, particularly, solar cell material and device are the main researches of Ohdaira-Lab, that is the most interest for me to choose this Lab. For me, being the first student of Ohdaira-Lab was also a challenge as well as an exciting opportunity. Moreover, knowing Ohdaira-sensei since I was Master student at JAIST, he is very kind, friendly and enthusiatic. I thought he would be the wonderful supervior (and it is true). That’s why I joined Ohdaira-Lab as a PhD student.
My research at Ohdaira-Lab was on the development of thin film passivation for crystalline silicon wafer by using catalytic chemical vapor deposition (Cat-CVD) and catalytic doping. My work aimed to frabicate the ideal stoichiometric silicon nitride thin coating film for silicon solar cell which have good passivation quality as well as high-transparency. After three hard-working years, my research goal was reached. The high-transparency stoichiometric silicon nitride film with desirable passivation quality was achieved.
Memories in Ohdaira-Lab
I had a wonderful life in JAIST. It is a great memory for me now. I loved the morning meeting, when we reported the daily results and schedule and study meeting, where we do research together. It is really helful for students. I always remember the time I was at clean room, worked with catalytic-chemical vapor deposition system, measured carrier lifetime and hoped for a magical results. The most obstacle is working with silane gas, which needs an extreme care. One time, I suddenly woke up at 2 am and ran to gas storage room since I thought I forgot to close silane gas cylinder. Of course, it was closed since I checked it carefully after leaving. But it still was my wondering at some night.
Besides hardship, I enjoyed a lot of funs during PhD time, such as at end-year party, playing tennis and enjoying Karaoke with our group memmbers.
As a foreign student, I got a lot of supports from Ohdaira-sensei and other group’s members with the works/documents related to Japanese as well as learning/practising Japanese. It was really make my life easier in Japan. Besides, It is wonderful that many students can live in campus in JAIST, where I can make friends with many students in other groups. JAIST also offers many Japanese classes and many events such as Jonkara dance, visiting local family at new year… to help foreign students integrate into society.
Message for students who have an interest in Ohdaira-lab
Ohdaira-lab is a very great group. I have great time during my PhD’s time. I would highly recommend you to join in this lab. Try your best and get your best. Goodluck.