Apparatus including effectively intrinsic semiconductor for converting radiant energy into electric energy

Patent · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:5265127

Sher, A

A device in which radiant energy is converted into electric energy by irradiating a capacitor including a layer of an intrinsic or lightly doped semiconductor, having a face on which an insulating layer is provided is described. First and second metallic contacts are respectively provided on the insulating layer and semiconductor. The radiant energy cyclically irradiates an interface of the semiconductor and the insulating layer to produce electron hole pairs in the interface surface of the semiconductor and thereby cause cyclic changes in the capacitance and resistance of the capacitor. The capacitor is initially charged to a voltage just below the breakdown voltage of the insulating and semiconductor layers by temporarily connecting it across a dc source to cause a current to flow through a charging resistor to the capacitor. The device can be utilized as a radiant energy detector, as well as a solar energy cell.

• Assignee: TIC; EDB-80-094554
• Patent Number(s): US 4152597
• OSTI ID: 5265127
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
CAPACITORS
CONVERSION
DESIGN
DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL INSULATORS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
GERMANIUM
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
LANTHANUM COMPOUNDS
LANTHANUM FLUORIDES
METALS
MIS TRANSISTORS
PHOTOCONDUCTORS
PHOTODETECTORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PNICTIDES
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TRANSISTORS