Large-area ICs (e.g., silicon wafer-based solar cells) are produced by
positioning a mask between an extrusion head and the IC wafer during
extrusion of a dopant bearing material or metal gridline material. The
mask includes first and second peripheral portions that are positioned
over corresponding peripheral areas of the wafer, and a central opening
that exposes a central active area of the wafer. The extrusion head is
then moved relative to the wafer, and the extrusion material is
continuously extruded through outlet orifices of the extrusion head to
form elongated extruded structures on the active area of the wafer. The
mask prevents deposition of the extrusion material along the peripheral
edges of the wafer, and facilitates the formation of unbroken extrusion
structures. The mask may be provided with a non-rectangular opening to
facilitate the formation of non-rectangular (e.g., circular)
two-dimensional extrusion patterns.