Patent · US Expired

Thin film solar cell including a spatially modulated intrinsic layer

US4816082A · kind A · utility

119Cited by
1References
45Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 19, 1987
Grant dateMar 28, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 19, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

One or more thin film solar cells in which the intrinsic layer of substantially amorphous semiconductor alloy material thereof includes at least a first band gap portion and a narrower band gap portion. The band gap of the intrinsic layer is spatially graded through a portion of the bulk thickness, said graded portion including a region removed from the intrinsic layer-dopant layer interfaces. The band gap of the intrinsic layer is always less than the band gap of the doped layers. The gradation of the intrinsic layer is effected such that the open circuit voltage and/or the fill factor of the one or plural solar cell structure is enhanced.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.