Photo cells, photo cell arrays, and electrolytic devices using these cells and arrays
First Claim
1. A photo cell comprising:
- a base material, the base material being a p-type or n-type semiconductor and having a surface;
a light receiving section, the light receiving section being an integral spherical part of the base material which part protrudes outward from the surface of the base and has a semiconductor layer of conductivity type opposite to that of the base material, said semiconductor layer being formed on a surface of said spherical part so that a pn junction interface is formed between the base material and the semiconductor layer;
a front surface electrode formed from conductive material in ohmic contact with a portion of the semiconductor layer on the surface of the spherical part; and
a back electrode formed from conductive material on the underside of the base material in ohmic contact therewith.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A photo cell and a photo cell array which have high photoelectric conversion efficiency, little leakage current, long life, and high reliability, as well as a electrolytic device that employs the cell and array. The photo cell (1) comprises: a base material (2) consisting of p-type semiconductor; a light receiving section (3) being an integral spherical part of the base material (2) which protrudes outward from the surface of the base (2), and has an n-type semiconductor layer formed on the surface of said spherical part, so that a pn junction interface is formed between the base material (2) and the semiconductor layer; a front surface electrode (4) formed from conductive material in ohmic contact with a portion of the surface of the aforementioned sphere; and a lower or back electrode (5) formed from conductive material on the bottom of the aforementioned base material (2), to provide ohmic contact. The spherical shape of the photo cell (1) enables most of the surface of the sphere to be sensitive to light, with wider directivity than flat photo cells, and enables uniform sensitivity regardless of direction.
42 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A photo cell comprising:
-
a base material, the base material being a p-type or n-type semiconductor and having a surface; a light receiving section, the light receiving section being an integral spherical part of the base material which part protrudes outward from the surface of the base and has a semiconductor layer of conductivity type opposite to that of the base material, said semiconductor layer being formed on a surface of said spherical part so that a pn junction interface is formed between the base material and the semiconductor layer; a front surface electrode formed from conductive material in ohmic contact with a portion of the semiconductor layer on the surface of the spherical part; and a back electrode formed from conductive material on the underside of the base material in ohmic contact therewith. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification