US4219830A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Semiconductor solar cell
Assignee: Sera Solar Corp
•
Filing: 1978-06-19
•
Granted: 1980-08-26
•
Expires: 1998-06-19
Abstract
Abstract There is described a semiconductor solar cell of improved efficiency. The cell has a built-in electric field which extends from the surface of the cell to the interior to keep minority carriers away from the surface whereby recombination at the surface is reduced. Interior contacts are provided whereby current flow along the surface of the device to contacts is avoided to reduce surface resistance and recombination.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Gibbons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:49
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/14; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/547
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A solar cell formed of a body of semiconductor material of one conductivity type including an active region where carriers are generated by solar energy which impinges into and penetrates the cell, said active region having a graded impurity concentration extending at least from the surface where the solar energy impinges towards the center of said body whereby to transport generated minority carriers from the surface towards the center of the body, a plurality of spaced regions of opposite conductivity type having a high impurity concentration extending into the body to form an interior p-n collecting junction which collects the minority carriers transported toward the center of the body by the electric field and provides a low resistance path to the surface, and means of forming ohmic contact to said spaced regions of opposite conductivity type and to said body of one conductivity type.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A solar cell formed of a body of semiconductor material of one conductivity type including an active region where carriers are generated by solar energy which impinges into and penetrates the cell, said active region having a graded impurity concentration extending at least from the surface where the solar energy impinges towards the center of said body whereby to transport generated minority carriers from the surface towards the center of the body, a plurality of spaced regions of opposite conductivity type having a high impurity concentration extending into the body to form an interior p-n collecting junction which collects the minority carriers transported toward the center of the body by the electric field and provides a low resistance path to the surface, and means of forming ohmic contact to said spaced regions of opposite conductivity type and to said body of one conductivity type.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A solar cell as in claim 1 wherein the spacing of said spaced regions of opposite conductivity type is such that substantially all minority carriers are collected by said p-n junction before they can recombine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A solar cell as in claim 1 in which said graded impurity concentration extends from all surfaces toward the center of the body to transport minority carriers generated in the body toward the p-n collecting junction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A solar cell as in claim 2 in which said spaced regions of opposite conductivity type extend inwardly from said surface toward the center.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A solar cell as in claim 1 in which said cell includes sides and said regions of opposite conductivity type extend inwardly from at least one side of said cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A solar cell as in claim 5 wherein said regions of opposite conductivity type are in the form of a grid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A solar cell as in claim 5 in which said regions of opposite type are spaced such that substantially all minority carriers are collected at said p-n junction before they recombine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-26 | 1984-02-25 | 1984-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-26 | 1988-02-25 | 1988-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-26 | 1992-02-25 | 1992-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |