Protective layer for the back reflector of a photovoltaic device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In a photoresponsive device comprising a light reflective electrode formed at least partially of silver;
- a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed atop said light reflective electrode;
a photovoltaic semi-conductor body disposed atop said transparent conductive oxide layer said semi-conductor body being operative to provide for a flow of electrical current in response to light energy incident thereon; and
a light transmissive electrode disposed atop said semi-conductor body, the improvement comprising;
a discontinuous protective layer operatively disposed between said light reflective electrode and the transparent conductive oxide layer, so as to provide a substantially protected region on said reflective electrode and a substantially unprotected region on said reflective electrode said discontinuous protective layer being operative to substantially prevent the oxidation of said light reflective electrode by said transparent conductive oxide layer while allowing the flow of electrical current between said light reflective electrode and said light transmissive electrode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A protective layer is disposed between a silver reflective electrode and a layer of transparent conductive oxide in a photovoltaic device so as to prevent oxidation of the silver. The protective layer may be continuous or discontinuous and may be fabricated from MgF2, Six Ny or Tix Ny where x and y are positive numbers.
39 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. In a photoresponsive device comprising a light reflective electrode formed at least partially of silver;
- a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed atop said light reflective electrode;
a photovoltaic semi-conductor body disposed atop said transparent conductive oxide layer said semi-conductor body being operative to provide for a flow of electrical current in response to light energy incident thereon; and
a light transmissive electrode disposed atop said semi-conductor body, the improvement comprising;a discontinuous protective layer operatively disposed between said light reflective electrode and the transparent conductive oxide layer, so as to provide a substantially protected region on said reflective electrode and a substantially unprotected region on said reflective electrode said discontinuous protective layer being operative to substantially prevent the oxidation of said light reflective electrode by said transparent conductive oxide layer while allowing the flow of electrical current between said light reflective electrode and said light transmissive electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed atop said light reflective electrode;
-
11. A photovoltaic device comprising:
-
a metallic substrate electrode having a light reflective, silver coating thereupon; a layer of an electrically conductive, transparent oxide disposed in a superposed relationship with said silver coating; a protective layer interposed between at least portions of said silver coating and said layer of electrically conductive, transparent oxide, said protective layer being operative to prevent oxidation of said silver coating by said layer of electrically conductive transparent oxide; a photovoltaic semiconductor body disposed atop said layer of electrically conductive, transparent oxide, said semiconductor body being operative to provide for a flow of electrical current in response to the absorption of light thereby; and a light transmissive electrode disposed atop said semiconductor body. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
Specification