Current and lattice matched tandem solar cell

Patent · Tue May 19 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6527047

Olson, J M

This patent describes a high-efficiency multijunction photovoltaic solar cell, comprising: a top semiconductor cell fabricated of GaInP/sub 2/ with a light-sensitive n/p homojunction therein for absorbing higher energy photons; a bottom semiconductor cell fabricated of GaAs with a light-sensitive n/p homojunction therein for absorbing lower energy photons; a low-resistance attachment between the top cell and the bottom cell wherein the GaInP/sub 2/ is lattice matched to the GaAs; and electrical contact means attached to opposite sides of the solar cell to conduct current away from and into the solar cell.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4667059
• OSTI ID: 6527047
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ABSORPTION
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
CRYSTAL LATTICES
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CURRENTS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
GALLIUM PHOSPHIDES
HOMOJUNCTIONS
INDIUM COMPOUNDS
INDIUM PHOSPHIDES
JUNCTIONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
P-N JUNCTIONS
PHOSPHIDES
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTONS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PNICTIDES
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT