Solar cell with chalcopyrite absorber layer
First Claim
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1. A solar cell comprising a chalcopyrite absorber layer including a controlled amount of a dopant selected from alkali metals and alkali metal compounds of from about 1014 to about 1017 alkali metal atoms per square centimeter of said chalcopyrite absorber layer.
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Abstract
A substrate-independent manufacturing method for a solar cell with chalcopyrite absorber layer (4, 5) is proposed wherein a desired alkali content is obtained in the finished absorber layer by dosed addition of Na, K, or Li during the manufacturing process. An additional drive-in of alkali ions from a potentially alkali-containing substrate (1) is prevented by providing a diffusion barrier layer (2) between substrate and absorber layer.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A solar cell comprising a chalcopyrite absorber layer including a controlled amount of a dopant selected from alkali metals and alkali metal compounds of from about 1014 to about 1017 alkali metal atoms per square centimeter of said chalcopyrite absorber layer.
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2. A solar cell comprising:
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a substrate having a surface; a diffusion barrier layer disposed on said surface sufficient to prevent diffusion of alkali metal ions from the substrate across said diffusion barrier layer; a back electrode layer disposed on said diffusion barrier layer; a chalcopyrite absorber layer disposed on said back electrode layer, a lower portion of said chalcopyrite absorber layer adjacent said back electrode layer including a controlled amount of dopant selected from alkali metals and alkali metal compounds; a window layer disposed on the chalcopyrite absorber layer; and a front electrode disposed on said window layer. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A solar cell comprising:
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an alkali-free substrate having a surface; a back electrode disposed on said surface; a chalcopyrite absorber layer disposed on said back electrode, a lower portion of said chalcopyrite absorber layer adjacent said back electrode layer including a controlled amount of a dopant selected from alkali metals and alkali metal compounds; a window layer disposed on said chalcopyrite absorber layer; and a front electrode layer disposed on said window layer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for making a solar cell, comprising the steps of:
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providing a substrate having a surface; depositing a diffusion barrier layer on the surface of the substrate capable of preventing diffusion of alkali metal ions from the substrate across said diffusion barrier layer; depositing a back electrode layer on said diffusion barrier layer; forming a chalcopyrite absorber layer including a controlled amount of a dopant selected from alkali metals and alkali metal compounds on said back electrode layer; depositing a window layer on the chalcopyrite absorber layer; and depositing a front electrode layer on said window layer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for making a solar cell, comprising the steps of:
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providing an alkali-free substrate having a surface; depositing a back electrode layer on said surface; forming a chalcopyrite absorber layer including a controlled amount of dopant selected from alkali metals and alkali metal compounds on said back electrode layer; depositing a window layer on said chalcopyrite absorber layer; and depositing a front electrode layer on said window layer. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification