Solar cell with chalcopyrite absorber layer
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsVolker Probst, Joerk Rimmasch, Hauke Harms
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Abstract
A substrate-independent manufacturing method for a solar cell with chalcopyrite absorber layer (4, 5) is proposed wherein a desired alkali content is obtained in the finished absorber layer by dosed addition of Na, K, or Li during the manufacturing process. An additional drive-in of alkali ions from a potentially alkali-containing substrate (1) is prevented by providing a diffusion barrier layer (2) between substrate and absorber layer.
Claims20
A solar cell comprising a chalcopyrite absorber layer including a controlled amount of a dopant selected from alkali metals and alkali metal compounds of from about 10.sup.14 to about 10.sup.17 alkali metal atoms per square centimeter of said chalcopyrite absorber layer.
A solar cell comprising:
- a substrate having a surface;
- a diffusion barrier layer disposed on said surface sufficient to prevent diffusion of alkali metal ions from the substrate across said diffusion barrier layer;
- a back electrode layer disposed on said diffusion barrier layer;
- a chalcopyrite absorber layer disposed on said back electrode layer, a lower portion of said chalcopyrite absorber layer adjacent said back electrode layer including a controlled amount of dopant selected from alkali metals and alkali metal compounds;
- a window layer disposed on the chalcopyrite absorber layer;
- and
- a front electrode disposed on said window layer.
A solar cell comprising:
- an alkali-free substrate having a surface;
- a back electrode disposed on said surface;
- a chalcopyrite absorber layer disposed on said back electrode, a lower portion of said chalcopyrite absorber layer adjacent said back electrode layer including a controlled amount of a dopant selected from alkali metals and alkali metal compounds;
- a window layer disposed on said chalcopyrite absorber layer;
- and
- a front electrode layer disposed on said window layer.
A method for making a solar cell, comprising the steps of:
- providing a substrate having a surface;
- depositing a diffusion barrier layer on the surface of the substrate capable of preventing diffusion of alkali metal ions from the substrate across said diffusion barrier layer;
- depositing a back electrode layer on said diffusion barrier layer;
- forming a chalcopyrite absorber layer including a controlled amount of a dopant selected from alkali metals and alkali metal compounds on said back electrode layer;
- depositing a window layer on the chalcopyrite absorber layer;
- and
- depositing a front electrode layer on said window layer.
A method for making a solar cell, comprising the steps of:
- providing an alkali-free substrate having a surface;
- depositing a back electrode layer on said surface;
- forming a chalcopyrite absorber layer including a controlled amount of dopant selected from alkali metals and alkali metal compounds on said back electrode layer;
- depositing a window layer on said chalcopyrite absorber layer;
- and
- depositing a front electrode layer on said window layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.