NOVELTY - Forming a thin-film absorber layer (306) involves forming a precursor layer on a base substrate (302), where the precursor layer comprises at least one discrete layer; and processing the precursor layer by heating the precursor layer in group VIA-based environment.    USE - For forming a thin-film absorber layer (claimed); and particularly for forming a film of group IB-IIIA-chalcogenide compound, used as active layer in fabrication of photovoltaic devices such as solar cells.    ADVANTAGE - The method is a one step, rapid and low-temperature technique for fabricating high-quality and uniform absorber films e.g. copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) films for solar modules, while providing suitable precursor materials for fabricating the films.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Forming a thin-film absorber layer (306) involves forming a precursor layer on a base substrate (302), where the precursor layer comprises at least one discrete layer; and processing the precursor layer by heating the precursor layer in group VIA-based environment. The thin-film absorbed layer is formed by creating vapor from a solid feedstock, where solid to vapor creation occurs within a reduced height processing section. The solid feedstock is preferably on a continually moving carrier web, and the solid feedstock is at a distance such that vapor formed is condensed on substrate opposite the feedstock. The deposition of group VIA material is preferably sulfur-based deposition. The group VIA material is deposited and heated at a reduced height portion relative to other portions of a processing system. The method further involves using a condenser to recapture group VIA material in the vapor that is not deposited.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a photovoltaic device having a thin-film absorber layer.    Photovoltaic device (300)    Base substrate (302)    Adhesion layer (303)    Base electrode (304)    Absorber layer (306)    Window layer (308)    Conductive layer (309)    Transparent electrode (310)    Fingers (311)