Photovoltaic device with transparent, conductive barrier layer
US8604336B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 25, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
Abstract
The present invention provides strategies for providing photovoltaic devices that are more resistant to moisture and/or oxygen degradation and the accompanying migration of key elements such as Na, Li, and the lanthanoid series of elements from the absorber layer and that have enhanced service life and improved performance. These strategies are particularly useful in the fabrication of chalcogenide-based photovoltaic devices such as chalcogenide-based solar cells. These strategies incorporate a barrier region between the photovoltaic absorber region and the front side collection grid. The barrier region keeps moisture and/or oxygen from the absorber layer and contains key elements such as Na, Li, and Ln in the absorber layer. As a result, the absorber layer retains its performance capabilities for an extended period of time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.