US4099986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar cell comprising semiconductive whiskers
Assignee: Siemens AG
•
Filing: 1977-08-23
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Granted: 1978-07-11
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Expires: 1997-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A solar cell with semiconductor body consisting of single crystal semiconductor whiskers which are grown on a substrate surface permitting relatively inexpensive manufacture and high efficiency of the solar cell is disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinrich Diepers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:01
CPC Classifications
C; C30; C30B; C30B11/00; C30B11/04; C30B11/08; C30B11/12; H; H10; H10F; H10F71/00; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/14; H10F77/147; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/547; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12528; Y10T428/12674
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
In a solar cell having a semiconductor body with zones of opposite doping forming a p-n junction and each zone provided with an electrode, the improvement comprising the semiconductor body consisting of a plurality of single crystal semiconductor whiskers grown on a substrate surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a solar cell having a semiconductor body with zones of opposite doping forming a p-n junction and each zone provided with an electrode, the improvement comprising the semiconductor body consisting of a plurality of single crystal semiconductor whiskers grown on a substrate surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement according to claim 1, and further including a layer of a transparent, electrically conductive material on the surfaces of the semiconductor whiskers to form electrodes thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said conductive layer is selected from the group consisting of tin oxide doped with antimony and indium oxide doped with tin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said whiskers are silicon semiconductor whiskers, and wherein said substrate is a silicon layer applied to a conductive carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is polycrystalline silicon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the substrate and a carrier to which the substrate is applied, consists of an electrically highly conductive material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3418170A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-10 | 1982-01-09 | 1982-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-10 | 1986-01-09 | 1986-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-10 | 1990-01-09 | 1990-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |