Multilayer light scattering photovoltaic back reflector and method of making same
AssigneeEnergy Conversion Devices, Inc.
InventorsPrem Nath, John Call, Kevin Hoffman, Timothy D. Laarman, Gary DiDio
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Abstract
A multilayered, light-scattering back reflector for a photovoltaic device, said back reflector including a first relatively hard, textured layer atop a substrate and a second highly reflective layer conformally disposed atop the first layer. The back reflector may further include a third light scattering layer formed atop said second layer, said third layer adapted to further provide a barrier layer between the body of semiconductor material from which the photovoltaic device is formed and the multilayered back reflector.
Claims12
In a photoresponsive device, which device includes a substrate, a light scattering back reflector atop said substrate, and a multilayered body of semiconductor material atop said back reflector, the improvement comprising, in combination:
- said back reflector comprising a tri-layered body including a hard, textured, non-highly reflective layer formed of a material other than copper, aluminum or silver and disposed directly upon said substrate, said textured layer having substantially micro-sized features;
- a highly reflective layer conformally disposed atop said textured layer;
- and a transparent oxide layer deposited upon said highly reflective layer, said oxide layer adapted to enhance light scattering and optical coupling.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.