Thin film solar cell including a spatially modulated intrinsic layer
First Claim
1. A solar cell including at least one layer of thin film substantially amorphous intrinsic semiconductor alloy material;
- said intrinsic layer characterized by at least a first portion of the thickness thereof having a bandgap and a second portion of the thickness thereof having a second bandgap narrower than the first bandgap portion;
said intrinsic layer sandwiched between oppositely doped layers of semiconductor alloy material;
the bandgap of all portions of the intrinsic layer not contiguous to the intrinsic layer-dopant layer interfaces being less than the bandgap of the dopant layers;
the improvement comprising, in combination;
at least one band gap modifying element introduced into at least a substantial portion of the bulk thickness of the intrinsic layer so as to spatially grade the bandgap of said intrinsic layer over a substantial portion of the bulk thickness thereof, said graded portion including a region removed from the intrinsic layer-dopant layer interfaces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One or more thin film solar cells in which the intrinsic layer of substantially amorphous semiconductor alloy material thereof includes at least a first band gap portion and a narrower band gap portion. The band gap of the intrinsic layer is spatially graded through a portion of the bulk thickness, said graded portion including a region removed from the intrinsic layer-dopant layer interfaces. The band gap of the intrinsic layer is always less than the band gap of the doped layers. The gradation of the intrinsic layer is effected such that the open circuit voltage and/or the fill factor of the one or plural solar cell structure is enhanced.
163 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A solar cell including at least one layer of thin film substantially amorphous intrinsic semiconductor alloy material;
- said intrinsic layer characterized by at least a first portion of the thickness thereof having a bandgap and a second portion of the thickness thereof having a second bandgap narrower than the first bandgap portion;
said intrinsic layer sandwiched between oppositely doped layers of semiconductor alloy material;
the bandgap of all portions of the intrinsic layer not contiguous to the intrinsic layer-dopant layer interfaces being less than the bandgap of the dopant layers;
the improvement comprising, in combination;at least one band gap modifying element introduced into at least a substantial portion of the bulk thickness of the intrinsic layer so as to spatially grade the bandgap of said intrinsic layer over a substantial portion of the bulk thickness thereof, said graded portion including a region removed from the intrinsic layer-dopant layer interfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
- said intrinsic layer characterized by at least a first portion of the thickness thereof having a bandgap and a second portion of the thickness thereof having a second bandgap narrower than the first bandgap portion;
- 9. A solar cell as in claim 9, wherein said intrinsic layer further includes a band gap widening element incorporated adjacent the interfaces thereof with said doped layers.
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31. A solar cell, including at least one layer of thin film substantially amorphous intrinsic semiconductor alloy material;
- said intrinsic layer characterized by at least a first portion of the thickness thereof having a bandgap and a second portion of the thickness thereof having a bandgap narrower than the first bandgap portion;
said intrinsic layer sandwiched between oppositely doped layers of semiconductor alloy material;
the band gap of all portions of the intrinsic layer not contiguous to the intrinsic layer-dopant layer interfaces being less than the band gap of the dopant layers;
the improvement comprising, in combination;at least one band gap modifying element introduced into at least a substantial portion of the bulk thickness of the intrinsic layer so as to spatially grade the band gap of the intrinsic layer from widest band gap portions adjacent each of the interfaces therof with the doped layers to a minimum band gap portion interiorly of the bulk thickness thereof. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
- said intrinsic layer characterized by at least a first portion of the thickness thereof having a bandgap and a second portion of the thickness thereof having a bandgap narrower than the first bandgap portion;
Specification