Patent · US Active

Germanium solar cell and method for the production thereof

US7960645B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by

12References

24Claims

0Family size

Assignees

IMEC · BE
UMICORE · BE

Inventors

Niels Posthuma · Elewijt, BE
Giovanni Flamand · Oelegem, BE
Jef Poortmans · Kessel-Lo, BE

Key dates

Filing date	Oct 7, 2005
Grant date	Jun 14, 2011
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jan 4, 2029

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02E10/547

Abstract

A method is disclosed for passivating and contacting a surface of a germanium substrate. A passivation layer of amorphous silicon material is formed on the germanium surface. A contact layer of metal is then formed on the passivation. The structure is heated so that the germanium surface makes contact with the contact layer. Thus, a passivated germanium surface is disclosed, as well as a solar cell comprising such a structure.

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