Patent US3888697A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3888697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Photocell
Assignee: Telefunken Electronic GmbH
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Filing: 1972-10-16
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Granted: 1975-06-10
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Expires: 1992-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A thin layer photocell comprises a semiconductor body of cadmium sulphide with a layer of cuprous sulphide thereon and then an additional layer containing metallic on the cuprous sulphide layer. A method for making such a photocell is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus Bogus
- 👤 Siegfried Mattes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:49
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/16; H10F10/169; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/064; Y10S148/072
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A THIN LAYER PHOTOCELL COMPRISING A SEMICONDUCTOR BODY OF CADMIUM SULPHIDAE, A LAYER OF CUPROUS SULPHIDE ON SAID CADMIUM SULPHIDE BODY, AND AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF METALLIC COPPER ARRANGED ON SAID CUPROUS SULPHIDE LAYER, SAID ADDITIONAL LAYER OF COPPER BEING THIN IN RELATION TO SAID CUPROUS SULPHIDE LAYER.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A THIN LAYER PHOTOCELL COMPRISING A SEMICONDUCTOR BODY OF CADMIUM SULPHIDAE, A LAYER OF CUPROUS SULPHIDE ON SAID CADMIUM SULPHIDE BODY, AND AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF METALLIC COPPER ARRANGED ON SAID CUPROUS SULPHIDE LAYER, SAID ADDITIONAL LAYER OF COPPER BEING THIN IN RELATION TO SAID CUPROUS SULPHIDE LAYER.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A photocell as defined in claim 1, wherein said cuprous sulphide layer has a thickness of approximately 500 to 2000 A, whereas said additional layer of copper is approximately 20 to 30 A thick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A photocell as defined in claim 1 further comprising a conductive electrode contacting said semiconductor body and a conductive grid-like electrode overlying and contacting said additional layer.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
52 words
A METHOD OF PRODUCING A THIN LAYER PHOTOCELL COMPRISING THE STEPS OF FORMING A LAYER OF CUPROUS SULPHIDE ON THE SURFACE OF A SEMICONDUCTOR BODY OF CADMIUM SULPHIDE AND FORMING AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF COPPER, WHICH ADDITIONAL LAYER IS THIN IN RELATION TO SAID CUPROUS SULPHIDE LAYER, ON SAID CUPROUS SULPHIDE LAYER.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
52 words
A METHOD OF PRODUCING A THIN LAYER PHOTOCELL COMPRISING THE STEPS OF FORMING A LAYER OF CUPROUS SULPHIDE ON THE SURFACE OF A SEMICONDUCTOR BODY OF CADMIUM SULPHIDE AND FORMING AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF COPPER, WHICH ADDITIONAL LAYER IS THIN IN RELATION TO SAID CUPROUS SULPHIDE LAYER, ON SAID CUPROUS SULPHIDE LAYER.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 4, and comprising evaporating said additional layer, of copper on to said cuprous sulphide layer of said photocell in vacuo.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 4, and comprising depositing said additional layer of copper on said copper sulphide layer of the photocell chemically.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 4, and comprising depositing said additional layer of copper on said cuprous sulphide layer of the photocell electrolytically.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said method further includes contacting said semiconductor body with a first conductive electrode and contacting said additional layer with a grid-like conductive electrode which overlies said additional layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 4, and comprising producing said additional layer of copper by reduction of the cuprous sulphide layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 9, and comprising reducing said cuprous sulphide layer on its outer surface by treatment in a discharge field in a hydrogen atmosphere.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as defined in claim 4, and comprising firstly applying said cadmium sulphide to a metallized plastic underlay and converting said cadmium sulphide on its free outer surface by immersing it into a hot copper ion solution in to said cuprous sulphide layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 11, and comprising applying said additional layer of copper directly after the production of said cuprous sulphide layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 11 and comprising tempering said photo-cell before the application of said additional layer of copper.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as defined in claim 4, further comprising tempering the photocell after application of said additional layer of copper at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time which are sufficient to provide the cell with an optimal photoelectrical efficiency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined in claim 14, and comprising tempering said photocell in air.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined in claim 14, and comprising tempering said photocell in vacuo.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 14, and comprising tempering said photocell for approximately 15 minutes at approximately 200*C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-12-09 | 1979-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-09 | 1982-12-09 | 1983-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-09 | 1986-12-09 | 1987-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |