Multiple cell photoresponsive amorphous alloys and devices

Patent · Tue Jan 02 00:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:7014941

Ovshinsky, S R; Adler, D

This patent describes an improved photoresponsive tandem multiple solar cell device. The device comprising: at least a first and second superimposed cell of various materials. The first cell being formed of a silicon alloy material. The second cell including an amorphous silicon alloy semiconductor cell body having an active photoresponsive region in which radiation can impinge to produce charge carriers, the amorphous cell body including at least one density of states reducing element. The element being fluorine. The amorphous cell body further including a band gap adjusting element therein at least in the photoresponsive region to enhance the radiation absorption thereof, the adjusting element being germanium: the second cell being a multi-layer body having deposited semiconductor layers of opposite (p and n) conductivity type; and the first cell being formed with the second cell in substantially direct Junction contact therebetween. The first and second cells designed to generate substantially matched currents from each cell from a light source directed through the first cell and into the second cell.

• Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., Troy, MI
• Patent Number(s): US 4891074; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 6710947A
• OSTI ID: 7014941
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 13 Mar 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
N-TYPE CONDUCTORS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
P-TYPE CONDUCTORS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
MATERIALS
AMORPHOUS STATE
GERMANIUM ALLOYS
GRADED BAND GAPS
ALLOYS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion
360104 - Metals & Alloys- Physical Properties