NOVELTY - Forming (M1) photovoltaic cell from common layer on substrate, comprises: making first pass with first laser beam over an area on common layer, where first pass forms groove in common layer, and first edge and second edge within common layer, and first edge is separated from second edge by groove; and making second pass with second laser beam over approximately same area on common layer, where second pass provides second level of electrical isolation between first and second edges, and second level of electrical isolation is greater than first level of electrical isolation.    USE - The method is useful for forming photovoltaic cell.    ADVANTAGE - The method utilizes laser scribing apparatus that: provides accuracy and precision necessary for photovoltaic cell (thin film and thick film types) patterning; eliminates voltage reduction caused by low-resistance shunts across the grooves; and provides appropriate optical energy to an area that is already affected by previous optical exposure, in order to remove residual material.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Forming (M1) a photovoltaic cell from a common layer on a substrate, comprises: making a first pass with a first laser beam over an area on the common layer, where the first pass forms a groove in the common layer, and a first edge and a second edge within the common layer, the first edge is separated from the second edge by the groove, and the groove provides a first level of electrical isolation between the first edge and the second edge; and making a second pass with a second laser beam over approximately the same area on the common layer, where the second pass provides a second level of electrical isolation between the first edge and the second edge, and the second level of electrical isolation is greater than the first level of electrical isolation. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for separating (M2) a first portion from a second portion of a first layer (602) in a solid volume (600), where the solid volume comprises the first layer formed from a first substance and a second layer formed from a second substance, and the first layer is disposed on the second layer, comprising: (A) making the first pass with the first laser beam over an area of the solid volume, where the first pass removes approximately all of the first layer within the area, creates a channel in the first layer, based on the step of removing where the channel comprises the first edge and the second edge, the first portion of the first layer bounded by the first edge and the second portion of the first layer bounded by the second edge, and the intersection of the first edge, and the first layer is defined by a first lip (610-1) and the intersection of the second edge and the first layer is defined by a second lip (610-2) and creates a heat-affected zone (612) within the solid volume, where the heat-affected zone disposed within a first area approximately bounded between the first lip and the second lip and (B1) making the second pass with the second laser beam over the first area, where the second pass removes a portion of the heat-affected zone.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure illustrates fabrication of photovoltaic cell.    Solid volume (600)    First layer (602)    First lip (610-1)    Second lip (610-2)    Heat-affected zone (612)