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US3961997A
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Fabrication of polycrystalline solar cells on low-cost substrates
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1975-05-12
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Granted: 1976-06-08
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Expires: 1995-05-12
Abstract
Abstract Low-cost polycrystalline silicon cells supported on substrates are prepared by depositing successive layers of polycrystalline silicon containing appropriate dopants over supporting substrates of a member selected from the group consisting of metallurgical-grade polycrystalline silicon, graphite and steel coated with a diffusion barrier of silica, borosilicate, phosphosilicate, or mixtures thereof such that p-n junction devices are formed which effectively convert solar energy to electrical energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Ting L. Chu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:20
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C16/00; C23C16/22; C23C16/24; H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/14; H10F71/00; H10F71/128; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/16; H10F77/162; H10F77/164; H10F77/1642; H10F77/169; H10F77/1692; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/546; Y02E10/547; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S117/00; Y10S117/913; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/12; Y10S148/122; Y10S148/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of fabricating low-cost polycrystalline silicon solar cells supported on a steel substrate, which comprises: coating said steel substrate with a diffusion barrier selected from the group consisting of silica, borosilicate, phosphosilicate or mixtures thereof; and depositing successive layers of polycrystalline silicon containing appropriate dopants over said coated steel substrate such that p-n junction devices are formed which effectively convert solar energy to electrical energy.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of fabricating low-cost polycrystalline silicon solar cells supported on a steel substrate, which comprises: coating said steel substrate with a diffusion barrier selected from the group consisting of silica, borosilicate, phosphosilicate or mixtures thereof; and depositing successive layers of polycrystalline silicon containing appropriate dopants over said coated steel substrate such that p-n junction devices are formed which effectively convert solar energy to electrical energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said supporting substrate is steel with a borosilicate diffusion barrier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said supporting substrate is steel with a silica diffusion barrier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said borosilicate coated steel is formed by decomposing a vaporous mixture of silane, hydrogen, diborane and oxygen over said steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said silica coated steel is formed by decomposing a vaporous mixture of silane, hydrogen and oxygen over said steel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-08 | 1979-12-08 | 1980-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-08 | 1983-12-08 | 1984-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-08 | 1987-12-08 | 1988-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |