US4544797A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for preventing short-circuits or shunts in a large area thin film solar cell and cell obtained thereby
Assignee: Nukem GmbH
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Filing: 1984-03-26
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Granted: 1985-10-01
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Expires: 2004-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A method to prevent short-circuits or shunts in a large area thin film solar cell comprises applying, to a substrate with a first conductive electrical contact, at least one first layer comprising a p-type or n-type conductive layer and a second layer comprising an n-type or p-type conductive layer or a Schottky barrier layer. The second layer, in turn, is provided with a second conductive electrical contact. Those areas of the first conductive electrical contact which are effectively uncovered by the first layer are passivated after forming the first layer and before application of the second layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Gert Hewig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:04
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; H10F71/00; H10F71/129; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/29; Y10S438/00; Y10S438/98
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for preventing short-circuits or shunts in a large area thin film solar cell, said method comprising the steps of sequentially applying, to a substrate comprising a first conductive electrical contact, (a) at least one first layer comprising a p-type or n-type conductive layer, and (b) a second layer comprising an n-type or p-type conductive layer or a Schottky barrier layer, said second layer also being provided with a second conductive electrical contact wherein, after forming the first layer and before application of the second layer, there is practiced the step of passivating those areas of the first conductive electrical contact which are effectively uncovered by the first layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for preventing short-circuits or shunts in a large area thin film solar cell, said method comprising the steps of sequentially applying, to a substrate comprising a first conductive electrical contact, (a) at least one first layer comprising a p-type or n-type conductive layer, and (b) a second layer comprising an n-type or p-type conductive layer or a Schottky barrier layer, said second layer also being provided with a second conductive electrical contact wherein, after forming the first layer and before application of the second layer, there is practiced the step of passivating those areas of the first conductive electrical contact which are effectively uncovered by the first layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of passivating the uncovered areas is practiced by converting the uncovered areas into a semiconductor of the same conductivity type as the first layer or, as compared to the first layer, into a layer of higher resistance, or into an insulator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of passivating the uncovered areas is practiced by depositing a metal layer in the uncovered areas, which metal layer is then converted into a semiconductor of the same conductivity type as the first layer, or as compared to the first layer, into a layer of higher resistance, or into an insulator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the first conductive electrical contact is silver, the first layer is an n-type cadmium sulfide layer, and the second layer is a p-type copper sulfide layer, and wherein the step of passivating the areas of the silver layer effectively uncovered by the cadmium sulfide layer is practiced by converting the uncovered areas of the silver layer into silver sulfide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the step of passivating the areas of the silver layer effectively uncovered by the cadmium sulfide layer is practiced by depositing a metal layer onto the silver layer and then oxidizing or sulfidizing the metal layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the metal layer is aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the first conductive electrical contact is gold, the first layer is a p-type Cu 2 S layer and the second layer is an n-type CdS layer, and wherein the step of passivating the areas of the gold layer effectively uncovered by the Cu 2 S layer is practiced by converting the uncovered areas of the gold layer into a halogenide or chalcogenide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of passivating the areas of the gold layer effectively uncovered by the Cu 2 S layer is practiced by depositing a metal onto the gold layer and then oxidizing the metal layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of passivating the areas of the gold layer effectively uncovered by the Cu 2 S layer is practiced by depositing a metal layer onto the gold layer and then converting the metal layer into chalcogenide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein the metal layer is copper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
A solar cell made according to the method of claim 1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tandem-solar cell system including a plurality of solar cells each made according to the method of claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4251286A
Cited
US4471036A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-30 | 1989-04-01 | 1989-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-30 | 1993-04-01 | 1993-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-30 | 1997-04-01 | 1997-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |