US4543443A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for manufacturing finger electrode structures forming electric contacts at amorphous silicon solar cells
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1983-08-16
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Granted: 1985-09-24
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Expires: 2003-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A method for manufacturing finger type electrode structures which form electric contacts at solar cells consisting of amorphous silicon. The substrate is first coated with a chromium-nickel layer and then a substantially pure nickel layer. After immersion in a mildly activated fluxing agent, a tin alloy layer is applied by dipping. The method enables the manufacture of very low resistance contact fingers at a p-i-n type solar cell provided with an ITO (In/Sn/oxide) layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Matthias Moeller
- 👤 Helmold Kausche
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:00
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; H10F77/215; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/17; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/548
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for the manufacture of finger type electrode structures forming electric contacts on solar cells consisting of amorphous silicon layers which comprises: vapor depositing a chromium-nickel layer over said silicon layers, vapor depositing a substantially pure nickel layer over said chromium-nickel layer, immersing the thus coated body into a fluxing agent, and dipping the coated body into a tinning bath containing a tin alloy which is molten in the range of 210° to 230° C.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for the manufacture of finger type electrode structures forming electric contacts on solar cells consisting of amorphous silicon layers which comprises: vapor depositing a chromium-nickel layer over said silicon layers, vapor depositing a substantially pure nickel layer over said chromium-nickel layer, immersing the thus coated body into a fluxing agent, and dipping the coated body into a tinning bath containing a tin alloy which is molten in the range of 210° to 230° C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said tinning bath has a tin to lead ratio by weight of about 3:2 and contains 2% by weight silver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said chromium-nickel layer has a chromium to nickel ratio by weight of about 20 to 80 and a thickness of about 100 nm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said substantially pure nickel layer has a thickness of from 150 to 200 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the deposition of the substantially pure nickel layer is followed by the vapor deposition of a silver layer having a thickness of about 100 nm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said dipping is carried out to achieve a tin alloy thickness of from 0.01 to 0.5 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A solar cell structure comprising: a substrate comprising layers of amorphous silicon having p type, intrinsic, and n type conductivity respectively, an indium-tin oxide layer over said layers on the substrate, and finger type electrodes deposited on said indium-tin oxide layer, said electrodes having a base layer of a nickel-chromium alloy, an intermediate layer of substantially pure nickel, and an outer layer of a tin-lead-silver solder alloy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A solar cell structure comprising: a substrate comprising layers of amorphous silicon having p type, intrinsic, and n type conductivity respectively, an indium-tin oxide layer over said layers on the substrate, and finger type electrodes deposited on said indium-tin oxide layer, said electrodes having a base layer of a nickel-chromium alloy, an intermediate layer of substantially pure nickel, and an outer layer of a tin-lead-silver solder alloy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A solar cell according to claim 7 which also includes a layer of silver immediately above the substantially pure nickel layer.
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) | 1988-09-23 | 1989-03-25 | 1989-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-23 | 1993-03-25 | 1993-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-23 | 1997-03-25 | 1997-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |