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US4485265A
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Photovoltaic cell
Assignee: Harvard University
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Filing: 1982-11-22
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Granted: 1984-11-27
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Expires: 2002-11-22
Abstract
Abstract In a photovoltaic cell structure containing a visibly transparent, electrically conductive first layer of metal oxide, and a light-absorbing semiconductive photovoltaic second layer, the improvement comprising a thin layer of transition metal nitride, carbide or boride interposed between said first and second layers.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy G. Gordon
- 👤 Sarah Kurtz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:14
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/14; H10F10/12; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/547
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
In a photovoltaic cell structure containing a transparent, electrically conductive first layer of metal oxide and a light-absorbing semiconductive photovoltaic second layer, the improvement comprising an electrically conductive layer consisting of from 0.5 to 4 nm in thickness of transition metal nitride, carbide or boride interposed between said first and second layers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a photovoltaic cell structure containing a transparent, electrically conductive first layer of metal oxide and a light-absorbing semiconductive photovoltaic second layer, the improvement comprising an electrically conductive layer consisting of from 0.5 to 4 nm in thickness of transition metal nitride, carbide or boride interposed between said first and second layers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said transition metal is selected from the metals titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A structure as defined in claim 1, in which the transition metal is titanium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A structure as defined in claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the interposed layer comprises a nitride.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structure as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the thickness of said interposed layer is from 1 to 2 nm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A structure as defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, in which the photovoltaic second layer comprises silicon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 in which said first layer comprises tin oxide, said second layer comprises silicon, and said interposed layer comprises titanium nitride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 in which said first layer comprises titanium oxide at the side adjacent said interposed layer and tin oxide at the opposite side, said second layer comprises silicon, and said interposed layer comprises titanium nitride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A structure as defined in claim 8 in which said second layer comprises amorphous silicon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structure as claimed in claims 7, 8 or 9 in which the thickness of said interposed layer is from 1 to 2 nm.
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) | 1987-11-27 | 1988-05-28 | 1988-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-27 | 1992-05-28 | 1992-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-27 | 1996-05-28 | 1996-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |