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Title: Photovoltaic healing of non-uniformities in semiconductor devices

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1175896

A method of making a photovoltaic device using light energy and a solution to normalize electric potential variations in the device. A semiconductor layer having nonuniformities comprising areas of aberrant electric potential deviating from the electric potential of the top surface of the semiconductor is deposited onto a substrate layer. A solution containing an electrolyte, at least one bonding material, and positive and negative ions is applied over the top surface of the semiconductor. Light energy is applied to generate photovoltage in the semiconductor, causing a redistribution of the ions and the bonding material to the areas of aberrant electric potential. The bonding material selectively bonds to the nonuniformities in a manner such that the electric potential of the nonuniformities is normalized relative to the electric potential of the top surface of the semiconductor layer. A conductive electrode layer is then deposited over the top surface of the semiconductor layer.

Research Organization:
University Of Toledo, Toledo, OH (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
NERL-NDJ-1-30630-02
Assignee:
University Of Toledo
Patent Number(s):
7,098,058
Application Number:
11/035,170
OSTI ID:
1175896
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (2)

Advances in performance and high-throughput manufacturing of thin-film CdS/CdTe modules
  • Rose, D.; Powell, R.; Jayamaha, U.
  • Conference Record of the Twenty-Ninth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference 2002, Conference Record of the Twenty-Ninth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2002. https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2002.1190625
conference January 2002
Nonuniform power generation in polycrystalline thin film photovoltaics
  • Karpov, V. G.; Harju, R.; Dorer, G.
  • 28th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, Conference Record of the Twenty-Eighth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference - 2000 (Cat. No.00CH37036) https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2000.915895
conference January 2000

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