US3988167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar cell device having improved efficiency
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1975-03-07
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Granted: 1976-10-26
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Expires: 1995-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A body of semiconductor material in a solar cell device has a means for collecting electron-hole pairs with an incident surface through which solar radiation enters. The collecting means can be a P N junction between two regions of opposite conductivity of the semiconductor body, or a partially transparent metallic film on the semiconductor body providing a metal to semiconductor material surface barrier rectifying junction. On a surface opposite the incident surface of the collecting means is a non-continuous oxide layer. The oxide layer is non-continuous because of openings extending through the oxide layer to the opposite surface. The openings are distributed across the opposite surface. In the openings at the opposite surface and on the oxide layer is a reflecting contact which functions both as an electrical contact and as a reflector to solar radiation in the semiconductor body.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Kressel
- 👤 Vikram Lalitchandra Dalal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:06
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/14; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; H10F77/40; H10F77/42; H10F77/48; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/52; Y02E10/547; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/153
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A solar cell device comprising: a body of semiconductor material having means for collecting minority carriers generated by the absorption of solar radiation in the body, an incident surface on the collecting means, through which radiation enters the collecting means, a non-continuous oxide lyer on a surface of the collecting means opposite the incident surface, the oxide layer having openings therethrough to the opposite surface, the openings being in the form of a pattern distributed across the opposite surface, a reflecting contact on the oxide layer and on the opposite surface in the patterned openings, a non-continuous oxide layer on the incident surface, the oxide layer having openings therethrough to the incident surface, the openings being in the form of a pattern, the patterned openings of the oxide layers on the opposite surface and the incident surface being of the same pattern and in alignment with each other, and a contact on the incident surface in the patterned openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A solar cell device comprising: a body of semiconductor material having means for collecting minority carriers generated by the absorption of solar radiation in the body, an incident surface on the collecting means, through which radiation enters the collecting means, a non-continuous oxide lyer on a surface of the collecting means opposite the incident surface, the oxide layer having openings therethrough to the opposite surface, the openings being in the form of a pattern distributed across the opposite surface, a reflecting contact on the oxide layer and on the opposite surface in the patterned openings, a non-continuous oxide layer on the incident surface, the oxide layer having openings therethrough to the incident surface, the openings being in the form of a pattern, the patterned openings of the oxide layers on the opposite surface and the incident surface being of the same pattern and in alignment with each other, and a contact on the incident surface in the patterned openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The solar cell device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the collecting means of the body of a semiconductor material comprises a first region of one conductivity type, a second region of an opposite conductivity type on the first region, with a PN junction therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The solar cell device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pattern of the openings in both oxide layers is in the shape of a grid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The solar cell device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the pattern of the openings in both oxide layers is periodic in shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The solar cell device in accordance with claim 4 wherein the first region is of a P-type conductivity and the second region is of an N-type conductivity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The solar cell device in accordance with claim 5 wherein the oxide layers are of silicon dioxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The solar cell device in accordance with claim 6 wherein both the contact and reflecting contact are of both chromium and gold.
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) | 1979-10-26 | 1980-04-26 | 1980-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-26 | 1984-04-26 | 1984-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-26 | 1988-04-26 | 1988-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |