Photovoltaic Devices with High Work-Function TCO Buffer Layers and Methods of Manufacture
AssigneeApplied Materials, Inc.
InventorsKurtis Leschkies, Roman Gouk, Steven Verhaverbeke, Robert Visser
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention are directed to photovoltaic cells comprising a substantially optically transparent buffer layer on a superstrate and a photoabsorber layer on the buffer layer. The buffer layer of detailed embodiments has a work function greater than or equal to about the work function of the photoabsorber layer. Additional embodiments of the invention are directed to photovoltaic modules comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells and methods of making photovoltaic cells and photovoltaic modules.
Claims20
A photovoltaic cell comprising:
- a superstrate;
- one or more of a substantially optically transparent buffer layer having a work function and a substantially optically transparent blocking layer having a blocking potential;
- a photoabsorber layer in contact with the buffer layer or the blocking layer, the photoabsorber layer having a work function;
- and
- a back contact layer on the photoabsorber layer,
- wherein the buffer layer has a work function greater than or equal to about the work function of the photoabsorber layer.
A method of making a photovoltaic cell comprising:
- depositing one or more of a substantially optically transparent buffer layer having a work function and a substantially optically transparent blocking layer having a blocking potential on a superstrate;
- depositing a photoabsorber layer on the one or more of the buffer layer and the blocking layer, the photoabsorber layer having a work function;
- and
- depositing a back contact layer on the photoabsorber layer,
- wherein the buffer layer has a work function greater than or equal to about the work function of the photoabsorber layer.
A photovoltaic cell comprising:
- a superstrate;
- a photoabsorber layer having a work function;
- one or more of an optically transparent buffer layer having a work function and an optically transparent blocking layer having a blocking potential on the photoabsorber layer;
- and
- a back contact layer on the one or more of the buffer layer and the blocking layer,
- wherein the buffer layer has a work function less than or equal to about the work function of the photoabsorber layer adjacent the buffer layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.