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US 2017/0323987 A1Published application
Self-bypass diode function for gallium arsenide photovoltaic devices
AssigneeAlta Devices, Inc.
InventorsHui NIE, Brendan M. KAYES, Isik C. KIZILYALLI
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to photovoltaic devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming a gallium arsenide based photovoltaic device includes providing a semiconductor structure, the structure including an absorber layer comprising gallium arsenide. A bypass function is provided in a p-n junction of the semiconductor structure, where under reverse-bias conditions the p-n junction breaks down in a controlled manner by a Zener breakdown effect.
Claims23
A method for forming a semiconductor device, the method comprising:
- providing a semiconductor structure, the semiconductor structure including a base layer configured to absorb photons to convert light energy into electrical energy at the device;
- and
- wherein providing the semiconductor structure includes forming an emitter layer in the semiconductor structure, the emitter layer being made of a different material than the base layer and having a higher bandgap than the base layer, and
- wherein a p-n junction of the semiconductor structure is formed between the emitter layer and the base layer such that under reverse-bias conditions in the resulting device the p-n junction provides a bypass function using a Zener breakdown effect that breaks down in a controlled manner.
1 more element
A semiconductor device, comprising:
- a semiconductor structure including a base layer configured to absorb photons to convert light energy into electrical energy at the photovoltaic device;
- and
- wherein the semiconductor structure includes an emitter layer, the emitter layer being made of a different material than the base layer and having a higher bandgap than the base layer, and
- wherein a p-n junction within the semiconductor structure is formed between the emitter layer and the base layer such that under reverse-bias conditions of the device the p-n junction provides a bypass function using a Zener breakdown effect that breaks down in a controlled manner.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.