Using 3d integrated diffractive gratings in solar cells
US8299556B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 2009 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multi-junction opto-electronic device including a stack of wavelength selective absorption layers is proposed. The absorption layers include each a first layer with a grating of a specific pitch defining the wavelength of the incident light to be absorbed within a subjacent second electrically active layer itself on a third electrically inactive layer. The second electrically active layer within the different absorption layers is in electrical connection with lateral contacts to extract the electrical charge carriers generated by the absorbed incident light within the active layer. The grating within the first layer of the absorption layers is defined by periodic stripes of specific width depending on the wavelength to be absorbed by the respective absorption layers. The period of the stripes alignment is defined by the pitch of the grating. Advantageously, ordinary silicon technology can be used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.