Title: Photovoltaic cell with nano-patterned substrate

Abstract

A photovoltaic solar cell comprises a nano-patterned substrate layer. A plurality of nano-windows are etched into an intermediate substrate layer to form the nano-patterned substrate layer. The nano-patterned substrate layer is positioned between an n-type semiconductor layer composed of an n-type semiconductor material and a p-type semiconductor layer composed of a p-type semiconductor material. Semiconductor material accumulates in the plurality of nano-windows, causing a plurality of heterojunctions to form between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer.

Inventors:

Cruz-Campa, Jose Luis; Zhou, Xiaowang; Zubia, David

Issue Date:

2016-10-18

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1329302

Patent Number(s):

9472702

Application Number:

13/681,157

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

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H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

H01L31/073 - comprising only AIIBVI compound semiconductors, e.g. CdS/CdTe solar cells
H01L31/035281 - {Shape of the body}
H01L31/0352 - characterised by their shape or by the shapes, relative sizes or disposition of the semiconductor regions
H01L31/1832 - {comprising ternary compounds, e.g. Hg Cd Te}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/543 - Solar cells from Group II-VI materials

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

H01L31/0725 - Multiple junction or tandem solar cells
H01L31/03529 - {Shape of the potential jump barrier or surface barrier}
H01L31/06 - characterised by at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier
H01L31/065 - the potential barriers being only of the graded gap type

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2012 Nov 19

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 14 SOLAR ENERGY