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US4493942A
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US
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Solar cell with two-dimensional reflecting diffraction grating
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1983-01-18
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Granted: 1985-01-15
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Expires: 2003-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A solar cell which includes a thin layer of active material bounded on the side toward the incident light with an antireflection coating and bounded on the other side by a two-dimensional reflecting diffraction grating to internally reflect the incident light back into the active material.
Inventors
- 👤 Ping Sheng
- 👤 Robert S. Stepleman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:00
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/30; H10F77/306; H10F77/311; H10F77/315; H10F77/40; H10F77/42; H10F77/48; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
17 words
A solar cell comprising: (a) an active layer of semiconductor material having a pair of opposed surfaces,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
A solar cell comprising: (a) an active layer of semiconductor material having a pair of opposed surfaces,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
(b) a two-dimensional diffraction grating fixed to one of said surfaces of said active layer, coated with a layer of reflecting material at the interface between said grating and said active material, the profile of the interface between said grating and said active layer being described by H(x,y)=α(X)+β(y) where H(x,y) is the height of the grating measured from a reference plane having independent x and y axes and α(x) and β(y) are periodic rectangular-wave functions in x and y, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
(b) a two-dimensional diffraction grating fixed to one of said surfaces of said active layer, coated with a layer of reflecting material at the interface between said grating and said active material, the profile of the interface between said grating and said active layer being described by H(x,y)=α(X)+β(y) where H(x,y) is the height of the grating measured from a reference plane having independent x and y axes and α(x) and β(y) are periodic rectangular-wave functions in x and y, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The solar cell of claim 1 wherein the two-dimensional diffraction grating is non-symmetric.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The solar cell of claim 1 wherein α(x) and β(y) are square-wave functions in x and y.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The solar cell of claim 1 wherein said active layer is silicon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The solar cell of claim 4 wherein said reflecting material is silver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The solar cell of claim 4 wherein said silicon is amorphous silicon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The solar cell of claim 1 wherein said reflecting material is silver or aluminum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4398056A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-15 | 1988-07-16 | 1989-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-15 | 1992-07-16 | 1993-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-15 | 1996-07-16 | 1997-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |