US4404422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High efficiency solar cell structure
Assignee: Unisearch Ltd
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Filing: 1981-09-15
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Granted: 1983-09-13
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Expires: 2001-09-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a new-type of solar cell structure, and to a method of manufacturing same. The solar cell is designated as an MINP cell (Metal-Insulator-NP junction solar cell). Essentially, the MINP solar cell is an extremely shallow N-P junction cell with a MIS (Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor) type contact made to the top of the cell. Although combining features of the two technologies, no more processing steps are required than for a conventional P-N junction cell. The advantage of the MINP structure is its substantially improved efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin A. Green
- 👤 Andrew W. Blakers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:07
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/12; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/547
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A solar cell comprising a body of semiconductor material having top and bottom metal contact layers, said body having two regions of different conductivity type forming a junction therebetween, namely a lower region containing a dopant of one conductivity type in contact with the bottom metal contact layer and an upper region containing a dopant of opposite conductivity type, said upper region being separated from said top metal contact layer by a thin insulating layer, said top metal contact being configured to allow the passage of incident radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A solar cell comprising a body of semiconductor material having top and bottom metal contact layers, said body having two regions of different conductivity type forming a junction therebetween, namely a lower region containing a dopant of one conductivity type in contact with the bottom metal contact layer and an upper region containing a dopant of opposite conductivity type, said upper region being separated from said top metal contact layer by a thin insulating layer, said top metal contact being configured to allow the passage of incident radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A solar cell according to claim 1 wherein the lower region of said body is doped with a P-type impurity and said upper region is doped with a N-type impurity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A solar cell according to claim 1 wherein the lower region of said body is doped with an N-type impurity and said upper region is doped with a P-type impurity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A solar cell according to claim 1 wherein said top metal contact layer is comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, Mg, Hf, Zr, In, Y, Mn, Sc and Ca.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A solar cell according to claim 1 further comprising a top antireflection coating.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of manufacturing a solar cell comprising the steps of forming a layer of semiconductor material containing a dopant of one conductivity type on top of a layer of semiconductor material containing a dopant of opposite conductivity type to form a junction therebetween, depositing a bottom metal contact layer on one of said layers, forming a thin oxide layer on the other of said layers and depositing a top metal contact layer configured to allow the passage of incident radiation on said oxide layer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of manufacturing a solar cell comprising the steps of forming a layer of semiconductor material containing a dopant of one conductivity type on top of a layer of semiconductor material containing a dopant of opposite conductivity type to form a junction therebetween, depositing a bottom metal contact layer on one of said layers, forming a thin oxide layer on the other of said layers and depositing a top metal contact layer configured to allow the passage of incident radiation on said oxide layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 6 further comprising the addition of an antireflection coating to the top of said cell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
A solar cell prepared by a method according to claim 6.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3457470A
Cited
FR2230086A1
Cited
US4144094A
Cited
US4253881A
Cited
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Cited
US4343962A
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) | 1986-09-12 | 1987-03-14 | 1987-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-12 | 1991-03-14 | 1991-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-12 | 1995-03-14 | 1995-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |