Photovoltaic device including front electrode having titanium oxide inclusive layer with high refractive index
US7888594B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 2007 |
| Grant date | Feb 15, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/548
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to an electrode (e.g., front electrode) for use in a photovoltaic device or the like. In certain example embodiments, a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) of the front electrode for use in a photovoltaic device is of or includes titanium oxide doped with one or more of Nb, Zn and/or Al. Additional layers may also be provided in the front electrode in certain example embodiments. It has been found that the use of transparent conductive TiOx(:Nb) or TiZnOx(:Al and/or Nb), in a front electrode of a photovoltaic device, is advantageous in that such materials have a high refractive index (n) and have a higher transparency than conventional titanium suboxide (TiOx). Thus, the use of such materials in the context of a front electrode of a photovoltaic device reduces light reflection due to the high refractive index, and increases transmission into the active semiconductor film due to the higher transmission characteristics thereof, thereby improving the efficiency of the device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.