Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
1 A tandem solar cell in which, in use, energy passes through a plurality of superimposed layers of photo-responsive materials, each layer being principally responsive to different energy photons, characterised by a crystalline substrate layer (1) having a photo-responsive junction (3) associated therewith, an optically transparent conducting layer (2) over the crystalline semiconductor layer, an amorphous silicon light receiving layer (4) over the optically transparent conducting layer and having a photo-responsive junction associated therewith, and ohmic contacts to the amorphous silicon layer and the crystalline substrate layer, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
1 A tandem solar cell in which, in use, energy passes through a plurality of superimposed layers of photo-responsive materials, each layer being principally responsive to different energy photons, characterised by a crystalline substrate layer (1) having a photo-responsive junction (3) associated therewith, an optically transparent conducting layer (2) over the crystalline semiconductor layer, an amorphous silicon light receiving layer (4) over the optically transparent conducting layer and having a photo-responsive junction associated therewith, and ohmic contacts to the amorphous silicon layer and the crystalline substrate layer, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
2 A cell according to claim 1, in which the crystalline layer (1) is of silicon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
3 A cell according to claim 1 or 2, in which the photo-responsive junction (3) associated with the crystalline layer (1) is on the light-receiving surface thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
4 A cell according to claim 3, in which the optically transparent conducting layer (2) forms the photo-responsive junction (3) associated with the (2) crystalline substrate layer (1).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
5 A cell according to any preceding claim, in which the optically transparent conducting layer (2) is of indium tin oxide, tin oxide, tin antimony oxide, cadmium stannate or zinc oxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
6 A cell according to claim 5, in which the transparent conducting layer (2) is of indium tin oxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
7 A cell according to any preceding claim in which the optically transparent conducting layer (2) has a thickness in the range 0.01 µm to 0.2 pm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
8 A cell according to any preceding claim, in which the amorphous silicon layer (4) forms an ohmic contact with the optically transparent conducting layer (2).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
9 A cell according to any preceding claim, in which the photo-responsive junction associated with the amorphous silicon layer is on the light receiving surface thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
10 A cell according to claim 9, in which the photo-responsive junction associated with the amorphous silicon layer is a Schottky barrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
11 A cell according to claim 10, in which a thin metal film forms the Schottky barrier at an interface with the amorphous silicon layer.