Solar cell employing nanocrystalline superlattice material and amorphous structure and method of constructing the same
US8969711B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 2011 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
Abstract
A solar cell employing nanocrystalline superlattice material and amorphous structure and method of constructing the same provides improved efficiency when converting sunlight to power. The photovoltaic (PV) solar cell includes an intrinsic superlattice material deposited between the p-doped layer and the n-doped layer. The superlattice material is comprised of a plurality of sublayers which effectively create a graded band gap and multi-band gap for the superlattice material. The sublayers can include a nanocrystalline Si:H layer, an amorphous SiGe:H layer and an amorphous SiC:H layer. Varying the thickness of each layer results in an effective energy gap that is graded as desired for improved efficiency. Methods of constructing single junction and parallel configured two junction solar cells include depositing the various layers on a substrate such as stainless steel or glass.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.