Apparatus for forming thin-film heterojunction solar cells employing materials selected from the class of I-III-VI/sub 2/ chalcopyrite compounds
Apparatus is disclosed for forming thin-film, large area solar cells having a relatively high light-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency and characterized in that the cell comprises a p-n-type heterojunction formed of: (i) a first semiconductor layer comprising a photovoltaic active material selected from the class of I-III-VI/sub 2/ chalcopyrite ternary materials which is vacuum deposited in a thin ''composition-graded'' layer ranging from on the order of about 2.5 microns to about 5.0 microns (approx. = 2.5 ..mu..m to approx. = 5.0 ..mu..m) and wherein the lower region of the photovoltaic active material preferably comprises a low resisitivity region of p-type semiconductor material having a superimposed region of relatively high resistivity, transient n-type semiconductor material defining a transient p-n homojunction; and (ii), a second semiconductor layer comprising a low resistivity n-type semiconductor material wherein interdiffusion (a) between the elemental constituents of the two discrete juxtaposed regions of the first semiconductor layer defining a transient p-n homojunction layer, and (b) between the transient n-type material in the first semiconductor layer and the second n-type semiconductor layer, causes the transient n-type material in the first semiconductor layer to evolve into p-type material, thereby defining a thin layer heterojunction device characterized by the absence of voids, vacancies and nodules which tend to reduce the energy conversion efficiency of the system.
- Assignee:
- The Boeing Co.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4392451
- OSTI ID:
- 5525583
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 2 Jul 1981; Other Information: PAT-APPL-278343
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Apparatus for forming thin-film heterojunction solar cells employing materials selected from the class of I-III-VI.sub.2 chalcopyrite compounds
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Related Subjects
CHALCOPYRITE
VAPOR DEPOSITED COATINGS
SOLAR CELLS
FABRICATION
HETEROJUNCTIONS
EFFICIENCY
P-N JUNCTIONS
THIN FILMS
CHALCOGENIDES
COATINGS
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER SULFIDES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
FILMS
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
JUNCTIONS
MINERALS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SULFIDE MINERALS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion