US4609772A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Photovoltaic products and processes
Assignee: COLUMBIA CHASE Corp A CORP OF NEW YORK
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Filing: 1985-06-17
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Granted: 1986-09-02
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Expires: 2005-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A photovoltaic cell and the method of manufacturing the same. The cell includes a substrate of, e.g., of aluminum, having a layer of sulfur-stabilized cesium fluoride-like material with the outer surface thereof containing a P+ boron doped outer layer. A substantially transparent electrically conductive coating is applied over the surface of said cesium fluoride-like material and appropriate electrical contacts are made to the conductive layer for protective purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 Kathy B. Grolitzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:23
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/12; H10F77/16; H10F77/162; H10F77/166; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/547; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
25 words
A composition of matter comprising a solid photovoltaically active product of cesium, boron and fluoride comprising a morphology-stabilizing quantity of a Group VI A element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
A composition of matter comprising a solid photovoltaically active product of cesium, boron and fluoride comprising a morphology-stabilizing quantity of a Group VI A element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
A photovoltaic cell which comprises: (A) an electrically conductive substrate; (B) a layer of cesium fluoride-like material on one surface of said substrate, said layer containing first and second portions, said first, lower portion adjacent said substrate being non-stoichiometric cesium fluoride-like material, and said second, upper portion being non-stoichiometric cesium fluoride-like material having a highly doped P+ doping, the transition between said first and second portions being graded with respect to said doping; (C) an electrically conductive substantially transparent metallic layer over said upper portion of said cesium fluoride-like layer; and (D) a morphology-stabilizing quantity of a Group VI A element, within said layer of said cesium fluoride-like material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
A photovoltaic cell which comprises: (A) an electrically conductive substrate; (B) a layer of cesium fluoride-like material on one surface of said substrate, said layer containing first and second portions, said first, lower portion adjacent said substrate being non-stoichiometric cesium fluoride-like material, and said second, upper portion being non-stoichiometric cesium fluoride-like material having a highly doped P+ doping, the transition between said first and second portions being graded with respect to said doping; (C) an electrically conductive substantially transparent metallic layer over said upper portion of said cesium fluoride-like layer; and (D) a morphology-stabilizing quantity of a Group VI A element, within said layer of said cesium fluoride-like material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The photovoltaic cell as defined in claim 2 wherein said Group VI A element is sulfur.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The photovoltaic cell as defined in claim 2 wherein said layer of cesium fluoride-like material is approximately 5000 angstroms in thickness.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The photovoltaic cell as defined in claim 4 wherein said electrically conductive substantially transparent metallic layer is titanium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The photovoltaic cell as defined in claim 5 wherein said titanium layer is approximately 500 angstroms in thickness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The photovoltaic cell as defined in claim 6 which includes a transparent protective coating over said titanium layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A photovoltaic cell comprising: (A) an electrically conductive substrate; (B) an overlying layer of photon-responsive electron emissive material comprising a sulfur-stabilized alkali metal fluoride-type compound having a low work function and having a concentration of a P-type dopant at its upper surface; and (C) an electrically conductive substantially transparent metallic layer contiguous with the surface of said electron emissive layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A photovoltaic cell comprising: (A) an electrically conductive substrate; (B) an overlying layer of photon-responsive electron emissive material comprising a sulfur-stabilized alkali metal fluoride-type compound having a low work function and having a concentration of a P-type dopant at its upper surface; and (C) an electrically conductive substantially transparent metallic layer contiguous with the surface of said electron emissive layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for generating electricity from sunlight comprising: (A) an electrically conductive substrate; (B) an overlying layer of a photon-responsive electron emmisive material morphologically stabilized with a Group VI A element, comprising an alkali metal fluoride-type compound having a low work function and having a concentration of P-type dopant at its upper surface; and (C) an electrically conductive substantially transparent metallic layer contiguous with the surface of said electron emissive layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for generating electricity from sunlight comprising: (A) an electrically conductive substrate; (B) an overlying layer of a photon-responsive electron emmisive material morphologically stabilized with a Group VI A element, comprising an alkali metal fluoride-type compound having a low work function and having a concentration of P-type dopant at its upper surface; and (C) an electrically conductive substantially transparent metallic layer contiguous with the surface of said electron emissive layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
A process of generating electricity from sunlight, comprising providing a photovoltaic cell including an electrically conductive substrate having a sulfur-stabilized layer of photon activated electron emissive material of an alkali metal fluoride-type compound having a low work function and including a heavily doped P+ outer surface layer with a layer of electrically conductive substantially transparent material thereover; exposing said cell to sunlight, and collecting the electrical energy generated by exposure of said cell to said sunlight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
A process of generating electricity from sunlight, comprising providing a photovoltaic cell including an electrically conductive substrate having a sulfur-stabilized layer of photon activated electron emissive material of an alkali metal fluoride-type compound having a low work function and including a heavily doped P+ outer surface layer with a layer of electrically conductive substantially transparent material thereover; exposing said cell to sunlight, and collecting the electrical energy generated by exposure of said cell to said sunlight.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said cell is subjected to temperatures above 400° C. during operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a photovoltaic cell comprised of the type including an electrically conductive substrate upon which a photo-responsive element is placed an an electrically conductive transparent superstrate under which said photo-responsive voltage-generating element is placed, and said superstrate and said substrate forming terminals from which photovoltaic energy generated by said photo-responsive element may be collected, the improvements wherein said element is formed of (A) P+ doped, cesium-fluoride-like material or P+ doped, rubidum-fluoride-like material and (B) a thin layer of metal oxide forming electrontrapping means between said cesium-fluoride-like material or said ribidium-fluoride-like material and said superstrate, and wherein said material (A) is morphologically stabilized with trace quantities of sulfur.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a photovoltaic cell comprised of the type including an electrically conductive substrate upon which a photo-responsive element is placed an an electrically conductive transparent superstrate under which said photo-responsive voltage-generating element is placed, and said superstrate and said substrate forming terminals from which photovoltaic energy generated by said photo-responsive element may be collected, the improvements wherein said element is formed of (A) P+ doped, cesium-fluoride-like material or P+ doped, rubidum-fluoride-like material and (B) a thin layer of metal oxide forming electrontrapping means between said cesium-fluoride-like material or said ribidium-fluoride-like material and said superstrate, and wherein said material (A) is morphologically stabilized with trace quantities of sulfur.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photovoltaic cell as defined in claim 12 wherein said P+ doped cesium-fluoride-like material is stabilized with sulfur and comprises a doping gradient therein.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A photovoltaic cell as defined in claim 13 wherein said P+ dopant is boron.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A photovoltaic cell as defined in claim 14 wherein said cell forms energy-storage means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A photovoltaic cell as defined in claim 13 wherein said cell forms energy-storage means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
A photovoltaic cell as defined in claim 12 wherein said P+ dopant is boron.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
A radiant-energy activated electrical storage battery comprising a cesium fluoride-like layer containing a glass-forming, P+ dopant and comprising means to permit electrons to flow into and out of said layer and an electron trap means in contact with said layer to assure that a quantity of energy is stored in said storage battery after activation by radiant energy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
A radiant-energy activated electrical storage battery comprising a cesium fluoride-like layer containing a glass-forming, P+ dopant and comprising means to permit electrons to flow into and out of said layer and an electron trap means in contact with said layer to assure that a quantity of energy is stored in said storage battery after activation by radiant energy.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process for making a photovoltaic material comprising reacting cesium or ribidium in a plasma environment with (A) a sequence of boron and fluorine or a sequence of fluorine and boron; and (B) a stabilizing quantity of an element from Group VI A of the periodic table; and thereby forming a coating of said photovoltaic material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process for making a photovoltaic material comprising reacting cesium or ribidium in a plasma environment with (A) a sequence of boron and fluorine or a sequence of fluorine and boron; and (B) a stabilizing quantity of an element from Group VI A of the periodic table; and thereby forming a coating of said photovoltaic material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as defined in claim 19 wherein said reaction is carried out on a cesium substrate at a temperature of -30° C. or below.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as defined in claim 19 wherein said stabilizing element is sulfur and wherein said sulfur is introduced as a gaseous compound of sulfur and fluorine.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as defined in claim 21 wherein said gaseous compound is SF 6 .
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process for making a photovoltaic material comprising the steps of reacting cesium with boron and fluorine in a plasma environment and stabilizing the photovoltaic material with trace quantities of a Group VI A element.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process for making a photovoltaic material comprising the steps of reacting cesium with boron and fluorine in a plasma environment and stabilizing the photovoltaic material with trace quantities of a Group VI A element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
57 words
A process as defined in claim 23 wherein a relatively large portion of boron is initially reacted with a layer of said cesium in the presence of some fluorine reactant to form a layer that is primarily boron and cesium and, thereafter, reacting with an increased amount of fluorine with the upper portion of said boron-cesium layer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process as defined in claim 23 wherein a relatively large portion of fluorine is initially reacted with a layer of cesium to form a layer that is primarily fluorine and cesium and, thereafter, reacting boron with the upper portion of said boron-fluorine layer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as defined in claim 25 wherein said reaction is carried out on a cesium substrate at a temperature of -30° C. or below.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as defined in claim 23 wherein said reaction is carried out on a cesium substrate at a temperature of -30° C. or below.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
117 words
The method of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell comprising: (A) providing an electrically conductive substrate; (B) depositing a layer of alkali metal material having a low work function on said substrate; (C) converting said layer of metallic material to an alkali metal fluoride-like material; (D) doping said layer with a P-type active impurity to provide a highly doped P+ region at the outer surface thereof; (E) terminating the thickness of said layer near a thickness point at which said cell exhibits a maximum in efficiency, said maximum being at least the second maximum in a series of maxima and minima; and (F) evaporating a layer of electrically-conductive substantially light transparent material over the entire surface of said layer.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
117 words
The method of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell comprising: (A) providing an electrically conductive substrate; (B) depositing a layer of alkali metal material having a low work function on said substrate; (C) converting said layer of metallic material to an alkali metal fluoride-like material; (D) doping said layer with a P-type active impurity to provide a highly doped P+ region at the outer surface thereof; (E) terminating the thickness of said layer near a thickness point at which said cell exhibits a maximum in efficiency, said maximum being at least the second maximum in a series of maxima and minima; and (F) evaporating a layer of electrically-conductive substantially light transparent material over the entire surface of said layer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said alkali metal material is cesium and is deposited by the insitu reduction of cesium chloride in a vacuum of approximately 10 -6 torr in the presence of calcium.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said alkali metal material is fluoride-doped cesium and is deposited with a stabilizing quantity of sulfur incorporated therein by decomposition of a fluorine containing gas.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 30 which further includes maintaining plasma conditions during said decomposition of said fluorine containing gas.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
20 words
The method of clain 31 wherein said layer of converted metallic cesium is approximately 4000 angstroms to 10,000 angstroms thick.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
20 words
The method of clain 31 wherein said layer of converted metallic cesium is approximately 4000 angstroms to 10,000 angstroms thick.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said layer of electrically conductive transparent material is titanium.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as defined in claim 31 wherein said fluorine-containing gas comprises a sulfur-bearing component forming means to stabilize said fluoride-doped cesium.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as defined in claim 34 wherein said sulfur-bearing component in SF 6 .
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said light-transparent material is a coating comprising a conductive oxide over a thin barrier layer of metal oxide forming an electron trapping means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said metal oxide is titanium oxide.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 28 comprising the step of forming said alkali metal fluoride-like material as a glassy material.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said P-type active impurity is boron.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sulfur-stabilized photovoltaically active material comprising cesium or rubidium, boron and fluoride in a sheet material and wherein crystallinity of said sheet material decreases as the quantity of boron increases through the thickness of said sheet.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sulfur-stabilized photovoltaically active material comprising cesium or rubidium, boron and fluoride in a sheet material and wherein crystallinity of said sheet material decreases as the quantity of boron increases through the thickness of said sheet.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
A photovoltaically active material as defined in claim 40 characterized by a stable photovoltaic conversion efficiency of at least 4% and a voltage output in excess of 1.5 volts.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
19 words
A photovoltaic material as defined in claim 40 wherein the photovoltaic material is less than about 5000 angstroms thick.
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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) | 1989-09-01 | 1990-03-03 | 1990-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-01 | 1994-03-03 | 1994-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-01 | 1998-03-03 | 1998-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |