Method of making a thin film cadmium telluride solar cell

Patent 4734381 Issued on March 29, 1988. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 14, 2006. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Thin film photovoltaic cell and a method of manufacturing the same Patent #: 4231808
Issued on: 11/04/1980
Inventor: Tabei , et al.

Inventor

Mitchell, Kim W.

Assignee

Atlantic Richfield Company

Application

No. 06/918250 filed on 10/14/1986

US Classes:

438/95, Chalcogen (i.e., oxygen (O), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te)) containing136/256, Contact, coating, or surface geometry136/260, Cadmium containing136/264, Selenium or tellurium containing136/265, Copper, lead, or zinc containing257/461, Light responsive pn junction257/49, NON-SINGLE CRYSTAL, OR RECRYSTALLIZED, SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIAL FORMS PART OF ACTIVE JUNCTION (INCLUDING FIELD-INDUCED ACTIVE JUNCTION)257/749, At least portion of which is transparent to ultraviolet, visible or infrared light257/E21.476, Manufacture of electrodes on semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus other than epitaxial growth, e.g., coating, diffusion, or alloying, or radiation treatment (EPO)257/E21.478, From gas or vapor, e.g., condensation (EPO)438/98Contact formation (i.e., metallization)

Examiners

Primary: Weisstuch, Aaron

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Lott; Robert D.

International Classes

H01L 21/02 (20060101)
H01L 21/44 (20060101)
H01L 21/443 (20060101)
H01L 31/18 (20060101)
H01L 31/06 (20060101)
H01L 31/072 (20060101)
H01L 31/0224 (20060101)

Abstract

A phosphorous doped layer of cadmium telluride is deposited onto a conductive window layer to form a thin film cadmium telluride solar cell. Back contacts to the solar cell are made by first depositing a layer of p conductivity type lead telluride upon the cadmium telluride and then depositing the metallic back contacts onto the lead telluride.

Other References

C Menezes et al, Proceedings, 4th E. C. Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (Stresa, Italy, 1982), pp. 836-838 (Reidel Pub. Co.)
C. A. Menezes et al, Solar Energy Materials, vol. 11, pp. 401-407 (1985)
R. H. Bube et al, IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, vol. ED-31, pp. 528-538 (May 1984)
K. Mitchell et al, J. Vac. Sci. Technol., vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 909-911 (1975)
T. Anthony et al, J. Vac. Sci. Technol., vol. A2(3), pp. 1296-1302 (1984)