THIN-FILM PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE WITH OPTICAL FIELD CONFINEMENT AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME
First Claim
1. A photovoltaic device comprising:
- a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer; and
a waveguiding structure disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer and comprising an active layer adapted to convert photons transmitted to the active layer to electrons and holes, the waveguiding structure further comprising a first layer adjacent the first electrode layer, the first layer comprising a hole-conducting material having a first index of refraction, and a second layer comprising an electron-conducting material having a second index of refraction, wherein the active layer is disposed therebetween; and
wherein the active layer has an index of refraction that is less than each of the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction and a thickness, the waveguiding structure being characterized by guided modes and adapted for optically confining the photons within the active layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A photovoltaic device is provided that includes a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer; and a waveguiding structure disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer which includes an active layer adapted to convert photons transmitted to the active layer to electrons and holes. The waveguiding structure further includes a first layer adjacent the first electrode layer that includes a hole-conducting material having a first index of refraction, and a second layer including an electron-conducting material having a second index of refraction, wherein the active layer is disposed therebetween. The active layer has an index of refraction that is less than each of the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction and a thickness. The waveguiding structure is characterized by guided modes adapted for optically confining the photons within the active layer.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A photovoltaic device comprising:
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a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer; and a waveguiding structure disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer and comprising an active layer adapted to convert photons transmitted to the active layer to electrons and holes, the waveguiding structure further comprising a first layer adjacent the first electrode layer, the first layer comprising a hole-conducting material having a first index of refraction, and a second layer comprising an electron-conducting material having a second index of refraction, wherein the active layer is disposed therebetween; and wherein the active layer has an index of refraction that is less than each of the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction and a thickness, the waveguiding structure being characterized by guided modes and adapted for optically confining the photons within the active layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 40)
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34. A photovoltaic device comprising:
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a first electrode layer; a waveguiding structure comprising a first layer adjacent the first electrode layer and comprising a hole-conducting material having a high index of refraction, a semi-transparent second electrode layer comprising a metal and adapted for incident radiation being transmitted therethrough, and an active layer adapted to convert photons transmitted to the active layer to electrons and holes disposed between the semi-transparent second electrode layer and the first layer, wherein the active layer has an index of refraction that is less than the high index of refraction of the first layer and less than an index of refraction of the semi-transparent second electrode layer, the waveguiding structure being characterized by guided modes and adapted for optically confining the photons within the active layer; and a coupling structure disposed between the first electrode layer and the semi-transparent second electrode layer, the coupling structure coupling photons incident on and transmitted through the semi-transparent second electrode layer of the photovoltaic device into the guided modes of the waveguiding structure. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification