US4612410A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact system for thin film solar cells
Assignee: Nukem GmbH
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Filing: 1984-10-26
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Granted: 1986-09-16
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Expires: 2004-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A contact system for thin film solar cells, which guarantees that charge carrier transport without a barrier layer takes place from the semiconductor layer facing the light source to the front contact in such a manner that, among others, long term negative influences by the front contact on the semiconductor layer will not take place. To this end the front contact is rendered passive against the semiconductor layer by modifying its chemical potential, at least in the actual contact area, to be matched to the chemical potential of the semiconductor layer, or by forming a chemically inert system acting as a reaction barrier between the front contact and the semiconductor layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Gert Hewig
- 👤 Hans Huschka
- 👤 Bernd Schurich
- 👤 Jorg Worner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:31
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; H10F71/00; H10F71/129; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A thin film solar cell with an upper semiconductor layer adapted to face a source of light and a front contact deposited on said semiconductor layer, wherein a passivation layer is deposited onto said front contact before said front contact is deposited onto said semiconductor layer, the chemical potential of said passivation layer being matched to the chemical potential of the semiconductor layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A thin film solar cell with an upper semiconductor layer adapted to face a source of light and a front contact deposited on said semiconductor layer, wherein a passivation layer is deposited onto said front contact before said front contact is deposited onto said semiconductor layer, the chemical potential of said passivation layer being matched to the chemical potential of the semiconductor layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A thin film solar cell according to claim 1, wherein said front contact comprises the same material as said semiconductor layer, at least within the region of actual contact with said semiconductor layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A thin film solar cell according to claim 2 having an upper semiconductor layer of Cu 2 S or Cu 2 O, adapted to face a source of light, a lower, contiguous CdS layer, and a front contact of copper deposited on said upper semiconductor layer, wherein at least that area of the copper front contact coming into contact with the semiconductor layer is respectively is sulfidized or oxidized.
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) | 1989-09-15 | 1990-03-17 | 1990-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-15 | 1994-03-17 | 1994-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-15 | 1998-03-17 | 1998-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |