Holey electrode grids for photovoltaic cells with subwavelength and superwavelength feature sizes
US8120132B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 2011 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 2, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
Abstract
A photovoltaic cell and a method of forming an electrode grid on a photovoltaic semiconductor substrate of a photovoltaic cell are disclosed. In one embodiment, the photovoltaic cell comprises a photovoltaic semiconductor substrate; a back electrode electrically connected to a back surface of the substrate; and a front electrode electrically connected to a front surface of the substrate. The substrate, back electrode, and front electrode form an electric circuit for generating an electric current when said substrate absorbs light. The front electrode is comprised of a metal grid defining a multitude of holes. These holes may be periodic, aperiodic, or partially periodic. The front electrode may be formed by depositing nanospheres on the substrate; forming a metallic layer on the substrate, around the nanospheres; and removing the nanospheres, leaving an electrode grid defining a multitude of holes on the substrate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.