Contact layers for thin film solar cells employing group IBIIIAVIA compound absorbers
US7713773B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/541
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for deposition of contact layers for Group IBIIIAVIA solar cells using electrodeposition and/or electroless deposition approaches, and solar cells that result therefrom. In one aspect of the invention, the solar cell that results includes a substrate, a stacked contact layer that includes a bottom film coated on a surface of the substrate and a top film formed by electroplating over the bottom film, wherein the top film comprises at least one of Ru, Ir and Os. A Group IBIIIAVIA compound film formed over the top film. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of depositing a stacked layer of a plurality of films in a plurality of sequentially disposed depositing units onto a continuously moving roll-to-roll sheet, preferably using electroplating of a stacked contact layer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.