US5101260A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multilayer light scattering photovoltaic back reflector and method of making same
Assignee: United Solar Systems Corp
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Filing: 1990-11-05
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Granted: 1992-03-31
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Expires: 2010-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A multilayered, light-scattering back reflector for a photovoltaic device, said back reflector including a first relatively hard, textured layer atop a substrate and a second highly reflective layer conformally disposed atop the first layer. The back reflector may further include a third light scattering layer formed atop said second layer, said third layer adapted to further provide a barrier layer between the body of semiconductor material from which the photovoltaic device is formed and the multilayered back reflector.
Inventors
- 👤 Prem Nath
- 👤 John Call
- 👤 Kevin Hoffman
- 👤 Timothy D. Laarman
- 👤 Gary DiDio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:14
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/70; H10F77/40; H10F77/42; H10F77/48; H10F77/707; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
In a photoresponsive device, which device includes a substrate, a light scattering back reflector atop said substrate, and a multilayered body of semiconductor material atop said back reflector, the improvement comprising, in combination: said back reflector comprising a tri-layered body including a hard, textured, non-highly reflective layer formed of a material other than copper, aluminum or silver and disposed directly upon said substrate, said textured layer having substantially micro-sized features; a highly reflective layer conformally disposed atop said textured layer; and a transparent oxide layer deposited upon said highly reflective layer, said oxide layer adapted to enhance light scattering and optical coupling.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a photoresponsive device, which device includes a substrate, a light scattering back reflector atop said substrate, and a multilayered body of semiconductor material atop said back reflector, the improvement comprising, in combination: said back reflector comprising a tri-layered body including a hard, textured, non-highly reflective layer formed of a material other than copper, aluminum or silver and disposed directly upon said substrate, said textured layer having substantially micro-sized features; a highly reflective layer conformally disposed atop said textured layer; and a transparent oxide layer deposited upon said highly reflective layer, said oxide layer adapted to enhance light scattering and optical coupling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said third transparent oxide layer is an electrically conductive transparent oxide material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said relatively hard, textured layer is formed of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper, copper alloys, and combinations thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said reflective layer is formed of silver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as in claim 2, wherein said transparent oxide layer is formed of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of zinc oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, indium tin oxide, cadmium stannate, and combination thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said hard, textured layer is approximately 1500-3000 Angstroms thick.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said reflective layer is approximately 200-500 Angstroms thick.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein aid transparent oxide layer is approximately 1000-5000 Angstroms thick.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said photoresponsive device is a photovoltaic device including at least one p-i-n type cell formed of amorphous silicon alloy material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said substrate is electrically conductive and formed from a material selected from the group consisting essentially of stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, and combinations thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said substrate is electrically insulating and further includes an electrically conductive layer operatively disposed between said substrate and said back reflector; said insulating substrate formed of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of polyimide, glass and combinations thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein the texturing of said relatively hard, textured layer is formed by mechanical means.
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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) | 1995-03-31 | 1995-09-30 | 1996-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-31 | 1999-09-30 | 2000-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-31 | 2003-09-30 | 2004-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |