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US 4,081,820 AGranted
Complementary photovoltaic cell
AssigneeSensor Technology, Inc.
InventorSanjeev R. Chitre
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This complementary photovoltaic cell has both an N+/P+ junction and a P+/N junction on the same epitaxial substrate, and so provides simultaneous photo-responsive outputs of both negative and positive polarity. A vertical photo-junction supplements the current output from the N+/P+ junction, and improves the efficiency of the cell. The N+/P+ junction by itself exhibits a high open circuit voltage.
Claims8
A complementary photovoltaic cell comprising:
- a semiconductor substrate,
- alternate P+ and N type conductivity areas in said substrate, each such area extending to the top surface of said substrate,
- a region of N+ conductivity extending from said top surface into said P+ area to form an N+/P+ first photovoltaic junction, and
- a region of P+ conductivity extending from said top surface into said N area to form a P+/N second photovoltaic junction,
- said adjacent alternate areas forming a vertical P+/N third photovoltaic junction extending to said top surface,
- said first and second junctions being opposite polarity photovoltaic sources, said third junction being usable in series with said first junction to increase the photovoltaic current output thereof.
3 more elements
A complementary photovoltaic device comprising:
- a semiconductor substrate,
- a plurality of first and second alternate areas of respective first and second opposite type conductivity formed in said substrate, each such area extending to a common surface of said substrate,
- each of said first areas having formed within it a region of conductivity opposite said first type to form a P+/N+ photovoltaic junction in each such first area,
- each of said second areas having formed within it a region of conductivity type opposite said second type to form a photovoltaic junction providing an output of polarity opposite that of said P+/N+ junction,
- the lateral interface between adjacent alternate areas of opposite conductivity forming a vertical photovoltaic junction usable to provide a current source in series with the junction of one of said first or second areas.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.