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US 5,501,744 AGranted
Photovoltaic cell having a p-type polycrystalline layer with large crystals
AssigneePhoton Energy, Inc.
InventorsScot P. Albright, Rhodes R. Chamberlin
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Abstract
A photovoltaic cell has an n-type polycrystalline layer and a p-type polycrystalline layer adjoining the n-type polycrystalline layer to form a photovoltaic junction. The p-type polycrystalline layer comprises a substantially planar layer portion having relatively large crystals adjoining the n-type polycrystalline layer. The planar layer portion includes oxidized impurities which contribute to obtainment of p-type electrical properties in the planar layer portion.
Claims15
A photovoltaic cell comprising:
- an n-type polycrystalline layer;
- a p-type polycrystalline layer adjoining the n-type polycrystalline layer and forming a photovoltaic junction therewith, the p-type polycrystalline layer including at least a planar layer portion consisting essentially of relatively large crystals adjoining the n-type polycrystalline layer, wherein the relatively large crystals have a mean diameter of from about 1.5 microns to about 3.0 microns;
- the planar layer portion including oxidized impurities to obtain p-type electrical properties for the planar layer portion;
- and
- each of the relatively large crystals having a planar surface in substantially planar engagement with an interface surface of the n-type polycrystalline layer.
2 more elements
A photovoltaic cell comprising:
- an n-type polycrystalline layer;
- a p-type polycrystalline layer adjoining the n-type polycrystalline layer and forming a photovoltaic junction therewith, the p-type polycrystalline layer including at least a planar layer portion consisting essentially of first crystals adjoining the n-type polycrystalline layer;
- the planar layer portion including oxidized impurities to obtain p-type electrical properties for the planar layer portion;
- each of the first crystals having a planar surface in substantially planar engagement with an interface surface of the n-type polycrystalline layer;
- and
- the p-type polycrystalline layer also including a porous layer portion opposing the n-type layer with respect to the planar layer portion, the porous layer portion having a greater porosity than the planar layer portion and the porous layer portion consisting essentially of second crystals;
- wherein, the first crystals, of the planar layer portion, have a mean diameter that is larger than the mean diameter of the second crystals, of the porous layer portion.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.