US4453173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photocell utilizing a wide-bandgap semiconductor material
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1982-04-27
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Granted: 1984-06-05
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Expires: 2002-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A photocell comprises a p-i-n amorphous silicon structure having a wide bandgap layer adjacent to either the p-type or n-type layer. This structure reduces the absorption of light entering the photocell and the back-diffusion of minority carriers.
Inventors
- 👤 David E. Carlson
- 👤 Brown F. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:32
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/16; H10F77/162; H10F77/166; H10F77/1662; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/17; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/548
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A photocell comprising: a wide bandgap layer of a semiconductor material; and a first layer of hydrogen-containing amorphous silicon of a first conductivity type overlying the wide bandgap layer; a second layer of hydrogen-containing amorphous silicon overlying said first layer and having substantially intrinsic conductivity; a third layer of hydrogen-containing amorphous silicon overlying the second layer and having the opposite conductivity type to the first layer; means for electrically contacting the wide bandgap and third layers; wherein the wide bandgap layer has a bandgap energy greater than that of the first layer and has the same conductivity type as the first layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A photocell comprising: a wide bandgap layer of a semiconductor material; and a first layer of hydrogen-containing amorphous silicon of a first conductivity type overlying the wide bandgap layer; a second layer of hydrogen-containing amorphous silicon overlying said first layer and having substantially intrinsic conductivity; a third layer of hydrogen-containing amorphous silicon overlying the second layer and having the opposite conductivity type to the first layer; means for electrically contacting the wide bandgap and third layers; wherein the wide bandgap layer has a bandgap energy greater than that of the first layer and has the same conductivity type as the first layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the wide bandgap layer is composed of an amorphous material which contains silicon, hydrogen and an element selected from the group consisting of carbon and nitrogen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the wide bandgap layer is a silicon-carbon alloy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 3 wherein the silicon-carbon alloy has a bandgap energy greater than about 1.8 electron volts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article of claim 1 or 3 wherein the wide bandgap and first layers have p-type conductivity, and the third layer has n-type conductivity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the means for electrically contacting the third layer is a metal layer over the third layer and the means for electrically contacting the wide bandgap layer is a transparent conducting oxide layer over the wide bandgap layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the concentration of a conductivity modifying dopant in the first layer is graded in decreasing concentration from the portion thereof adjacent to the wide bandgap layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The article of claim 1 wherein the concentration of a conductivity modifying dopant in the wide bandgap and first layers is graded in decreasing concentration from the portion thereof adjacent to the electrical contact to the wide bandgap.
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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) | 1987-06-05 | 1987-12-05 | 1988-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-05 | 1991-12-05 | 1992-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-05 | 1995-12-05 | 1996-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |