Solar cells having a transparent composition-graded buffer layer

US8227689B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Richard R. King · Thousand Oaks, US
• Christopher M. Fetzer · Valencia, US
• Peter C. Colter · Santa Clarita, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 15, 2004
• Grant date: Jul 24, 2012
• Expiry date: Jan 17, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50

Abstract

A solar cell includes a first layer having a first-layer lattice parameter, a second layer having a second-layer lattice parameter different from the first-layer lattice parameter, wherein the second layer includes a photoactive second-layer material; and a third layer having a third-layer lattice parameter different from the second-layer lattice parameter, wherein the third layer includes a photoactive third-layer material. A transparent buffer layer extends between and contacts the second layer and the third layer and has a buffer-layer lattice parameter that varies with increasing distance from the second layer toward the third layer, so as to lattice match to the second layer and to the third layer. There may be additional subcell layers and buffer layers in the solar cell.