Abstract: A semiconductor liquid junction photocell having a photovoltaic junction between a p-type photoactive electrode comprising InP or Si and an electrolyte comprising a redox couple selected from the group consisting of V.sup.2+ /V.sup.3+, Nb.sup.4+ /Nb.sup.5+, and Ti.sup.3+ /Ti.sup.4+ produces a stable photocurrent output.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices using chemically treated n-type GaAs have greatly reduced surface recombination velocities. A preferred embodiment uses fractional monolayers of ruthenium on the GaAs surface.

Abstract: We have found that a photoactive metal selenide film, such as CdSe, may be formed by cathodic eletrodeposition from a seleno-sulfite (SeSO.sub.3.sup.2-) solution without the need for a subsequent heat treating step which, it is hypothesized, was required by the simultaneous deposition of elemental selenium.

Abstract: A semiconductor liquid junction photocell using a photoactive electrode comprising GaAs has greatly improved solar energy to electrically conversion efficiency when compared to prior art semiconductor liquid junction photocells using GaAs electrodes. The improved efficiency is obtained by material, such as ruthenium, cobalt, rhodium or lead, on the electrode surface. Efficiency is still further increased by texturizing the surface of the GaAs electrode prior to addition of the material. Efficiencies under AM1 conditions are approximately 12 percent.

Abstract: Liquid-semiconductor photocells using chalcogenide semiconductors have been advanced recently to the point where they compete favorably with silicon devices for solar power conversion. However, in common with silicon devices, the semiconductor needs to be a single crystal. This fact makes solar power impractically expensive. According to this invention, the chalcogenide semiconductor is made by anodizing cadmium or bismuth in a sulfide, selenide or telluride electrolyte. The anodized element, when operated photovoltaically in an electrolyte similar to the anodizing solution, produces useful power conversion and is relatively inexpensive.

Abstract: Liquid-semiconductor photocells are described which produce a stable photocurrent output over extended periods of time by controllably removing material from the semiconductor surface in such a manner as to maintain the integrity of the junction characteristics. The removal may be either by photoetching or by chemical reaction with the electrolyte or with agents added to the electrolyte.

Abstract: Liquid-semiconductor photocells have received attention recently for use in solar power devices. Alternatives to single crystal semiconductors have been sought to reduce the cost of the photocells. According to this invention, the semiconductor is made from a pressure sintered and vapor annealed semiconductor. The electrode is relatively inexpensive to make and the efficiency of the solar cell compares favorably to the efficiency of solar cells using single crystal electrodes.

Abstract: The ruthenium compound [Ru.sub.2 N(H.sub.2 O).sub.2 Cl.sub.8 ]K.sub.3 is prepared by refluxing a mixture of hydrated water soluble ruthenium chloride, having approximately 40% ruthenium content, and sulphamic acid, the latter having approximately half the molar concentration of the former, for several hours and then precipitating the desired compound by adding solutions of potassium chloride and hydrochloric acid. Electrical contacts on the reeds of sealed reed switches produced by electroplating from an aqueous solution of the salt produced in this manner are found to be particularly resistant to the thermal shock involved in the sealing of the switches.

Abstract: A quality control technique is based on the observation that trapping centers contribute to inefficient operation of junction devices. Devices are irradiated by a first radiation source of intensity sufficient to populate traps and a second radiation source of varying wavelength. Trapping centers are detected by a deviation from the expected photovoltaic output-incident wavelength relationship. Such "structure" is utilized as the basis for altering production conditions to minimize currents of such centers. While the procedure is of general applicability, it is particularly suitable as applied to photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: In an electrochemical cell passing a constant current, an electrode rotating asymmetrically with respect to a fixed electrode produces an ac voltage, having a component at the rotational frequency, between the rotating and fixed electrodes because the interelectrode distance and dc solution resistance between the electrodes vary. When this electrode is used in an operating two electrode cell, e.g., a plating bath, the ac voltage may be used to map the spatial current distribution. Measurements of solution conductivity may also be made.