Nanowire-based photovoltaic energy conversion devices and related fabrication methods
US9059344B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10F77/1437
Abstract
Nanowire-based photovoltaic energy conversion devices and related fabrication methods therefor are described. A plurality of photovoltaic (PV) nanowires extend outwardly from a surface layer of a substrate, each PV nanowire having a root end near the substrate surface layer and a tip end opposite the root end. For one preferred embodiment, a canopy-style tip-side electrode layer contacts the tip ends of the PV nanowires and is separated from the substrate surface layer by an air gap layer, the PV nanowires being disposed within the air gap layer. For another preferred embodiment, a tip-side electrode layer is disposed upon a layer of optically transparent, electrically insulating solid filler material that laterally surrounds the PV nanowires along a portion of their lengths, wherein an air gap is disposed between the solid filler layer and the substrate surface layer. Methods for fabricating the nanowire-based photovoltaic energy conversion devices are also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.