US4629820A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thin film heterojunction photovoltaic devices
Assignee: BP Technology Ventures Ltd
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Filing: 1985-09-17
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Granted: 1986-12-16
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Expires: 2005-09-17
Abstract
Abstract Thin films of Hg1-xCdxTe with controlled x greater than 0.5 are cathodically deposited on a thin CdS film over a conductive film of ITO deposited on a glass substrate. Depositing a conductive film on the electrodeposited Hg1-xCdxTe treated to provide a Te-rich surface for a good ohmic contact forms an improved solar cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Bulent M. Basol
- 👤 Eric S. Tseng
- 👤 Dennis S. Lo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:31
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F71/00; C; C25; C25D; C25D9/00; C25D9/04; C25D9/08; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/16; H10F10/162; H10F71/125; H10F71/1253; H10F71/128; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/12; H10F77/123; H10F77/1237; H10P; H10P14/00; H10P14/20; H10P14/26; H10P14/265; H10P14/29; H10P14/2901; H10P14/2922; H10P14/32; H10P14/3202; H10P14/3224; H10P14/3228; H10P14/3241; H10P14/3242; H10P14/3244; H10P14/3248; H10P14/34; H10P14/3402; H10P14/3424; H10P14/3432; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/543; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
27 words
A solar cell comprising at least one layer of polycrystalline cadmium-rich Hg 1-x Cd x Te (x>0.5) containing halide atoms, as an active solar energy absorbing layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
A solar cell comprising at least one layer of polycrystalline cadmium-rich Hg 1-x Cd x Te (x>0.5) containing halide atoms, as an active solar energy absorbing layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The solar cell of claim 1 wherein one surface of said at least one layer of cadmium-rich Hg 1-x Cd x Te is in ohmic contact with a conductive metal layer; and the opposing surface of said at least one layer of cadmium-rich Hg 1-x Cd x Te contacts a layer of semiconductor material and forms a heterojunction with it.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The solar cell of claim 1 wherein one surface of said at least one layer of cadmium-rich Hg 1-x Cd x Te forms a Schottky barrier with a conductive metal layer; and the opposing surface of said at least one layer of cadmium-rich Hg 1-x Cd x Te contacts a layer of a semiconductor material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The solar cell of claim 1 comprising a glass substrate coated with a conductive oxide layer, a layer of CdS disposed on said conductive oxide, said cadmium-rich layer of Hg 1-x Cd x Te disposed on said CdS layer, and a conductive metal layer disposed on and in ohmic contact with said Hg 1-x Cd x Te layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The solar cell of claim 4 having a tellurium-rich surface of said cadmium rich Hg 1-x Cd x Te layer disposed adjacent the ohmic contact.
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) | 1989-12-15 | 1990-06-16 | 1990-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-15 | 1994-06-16 | 1994-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-15 | 1998-06-16 | 1998-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |