US4378460A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal electrode for amorphous silicon solar cells
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1981-08-31
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Granted: 1983-03-29
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Expires: 2001-08-31
Abstract
Abstract An amorphous silicon solar cell having an N-type region wherein the contact to the N-type region is composed of a material having a work function of about 3.7 electron volts or less. Suitable materials include strontium, barium and magnesium and rare earth metals such as gadolinium and yttrium.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:15
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/17; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/548
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A solar cell comprising: (a) a body of amorphous silicon; (b) a P type region and an N type region in said body of amorphous silicon, said P type region being separated from said N type region by an intrinsic region; and (c) means for contacting said N type region comprising a metal having a work function less than about 3.7 electron-volts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A solar cell comprising: (a) a body of amorphous silicon; (b) a P type region and an N type region in said body of amorphous silicon, said P type region being separated from said N type region by an intrinsic region; and (c) means for contacting said N type region comprising a metal having a work function less than about 3.7 electron-volts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The solar cell of claim 1 wherein the metal has a work-function of less than 3.2 electron-volts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The solar cell of claim 2 wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of barium and strontium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The solar cell of claim 1 wherein said metal is a rare earth metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The solar cell of claim 4 wherein the rare earth metal is selected from the group consisting of gadolinium and yttrium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The solar cell of claim 1 wherein said metal is magnesium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4064521A
Cited
US4226897A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-03-28 | 1986-09-27 | 1987-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-28 | 1990-09-27 | 1991-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-28 | 1994-09-27 | 1995-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |