Abstract: A large area, thin-film photovoltaic device 30 having a transparent front contact 32 is made more efficient by the use of a current collector grid 36. The current collector grid 36 is embedded in an optically transparent electrically conductive layer 34 and may extend partially into a substrate 32 or partially into a first semiconductor layer 38. The process for preparing such thin-film photovoltaic devices includes forming channels in the optically transparent electrically conductive layer 34 and depositing the current collector grid material in the channels. By this design, problems encountered in the deposition of thin-film semiconductor layers due to the presence of relatively large current collector grids are effectively eliminated.

Abstract: A sputtering process for efficiently preparing amorphous semiconducting films having a reduced number of localized states is disclosed. In particular, hydrogenated semiconductor films free of polyhydrides may be prepared according to the inventive process. In one application of the process, a silicon target is simultaneously bombarded by separate beams of relatively heavy sputtering ions, such as argon ions, effective in sputtering the target at relatively high rates, and by ions of a substance effective in passivating localized states in amorphous semiconducting films, such as hydrogen ions. The products of this sputtering process are collected on remotely located substrates to form a passivated amorphous semiconductor film. In another application of the process, a target composed of a semiconductor alloy is used with separate sputtering and passivating ion beams directed at the target to deposit a passivated compound semiconductor film.

Abstract: Thin films of Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te with controlled x greater than 0.5 are cathodically deposited on a thin CdS film over a conductive film of ITO deposited on a glass substrate. Depositing a conductive film on the electrodeposited Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te treated to provide a Te-rich surface for a good ohmic contact forms an improved solar cell.

Abstract: An electrically small, efficient electromagnetic structure, that may be used as an antenna or waveguide probe, having an electromagnetically closed, velocity-inhibiting conducting path, for supporting a standing, inhibited-velocity wave in response to the flow of an electrical current through the path and a process for establishing the standing wave. Use of the structure is particularly advantageous at the lower end of the electromagnetic spectrum, where various embodiments produce purely vertically polarized radiation in directional and omnidirectional patterns. Various embodiments of the structure include multiple conducting paths and image means to complete the conducting path.

Abstract: A flexible, photovoltaic panel composed of photovoltaic strips, each strip having a flexible conducting substrate, an amorphous semiconductor body deposited on the substrate, a transparent conductive coating deposited on the semiconductor body, and a current collection grid on the coating, is formed by joining strips along overlapping lengthwise margins with a flexible plastic tape. The tape may contain one or more conducting paths contacting the current collecting grid on an overlapped strip and the substrate of an overlapping strip to electrically interconnect the strips in series. Photovoltaic cells in each strip are electrically connected in parallel, so that interconnected panels may be designed with a wide range of voltage and current outputs.

Abstract: A thin film device for recording information in readable form that decreases its light absorbancy in response to increased temperature. The film includes two elements from column IVa of the Periodic Table, such as silicon, germanium, tin and lead, bound with one of or a mixture of sulfur and selenium.The as-deposited inventive materials contain tetrahedral units, some ethane-like units and some rings and chains. Upon heating the ethane-like units are converted to rings and chains and tetrahedral units producing a dramatically decreased light absorbancy. The materials are stable at relatively high operating temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a photovoltaic module having a plurality of cell strips. The apparatus (10) includes a frame (11) and a support drum (25) rotatably received in the frame (11). The support drum (25) has a substantially curved surface (42) having a plurality of paired dowel guides (45) for registering cell strips (50) relative to the surface (42) and an interconnect mesh (36) relative to the cell strip (50). A plurality of paired complementary clamp sets (51, 52) receive and secure the cell strips (50) and the interconnect mesh (36) to the support drum (25).

Abstract: A bypass diode assembly (10) for a photovoltaic module (11) incorporating a plurality of electrically conductive strips (12), each having a long leg (13) and a short leg (14). The long leg (13) of each conductive strip (12) is in overlapped relation with the long leg (13) of another conductive strip (12). A diode (21) is interposed between successive conductive strips (12) in the vicinity of the overlapped relation and is electrically associated therewith. A bridging portion comprising diagonal arm (20) is carried by each long leg (13) and is oriented to dissipate stress experienced by the conductive strip (12). The short leg (14) is suitably located and configured for electrically communicating with the substrate layer (15) of a corresponding photovoltaic cell strip (16).

Abstract: A semiconductor photoelectrode resistant to photocorrosion and a method of preparing such a photoelectrode are disclosed. The photoelectrode includes a doped oxide layer on which illumination falls for photo-stimulation. The oxide layer is doped with metallic ions, such as tantalum ions, to suppress photocorrosion. In one oxide doping method, tantalum pentachloride vapor generated by sublimation is directed against a silicon dioxide layer on a heated photoelectrode.

Abstract: A photovoltaic array module incorporating a plurality of photovoltaic cell strips (11). Each cell strip (11) incorporates an electrically conductive substrate layer (22), a semiconductor body (23) deposited on the substrate layer (22), and a transparent electrically conductive layer (24) deposited on the semiconductor body (23). Electrically conductive filaments (20) are alternately connected to contact points (31) on the electrically conductive substrate layer (22) of one cell strip (11) and to contact points (32) on the transparent electrically conductive layer (24) of another cell strip (11). A first busbar (12) and a second busbar (13) are connected to the end cell strips (11) of the array to collect the electrical energy generated thereby.

Abstract: Apparatus for microwave energized glow discharge deposition of materials, onto a substrate including electronic structures having a plurality of layers of amorphous semiconducting alloys of varying conductivity types. The apparatus includes at least one deposition chamber in which a novel antenna coupled to a source of microwave energy to form a microwave energy excited glow discharge plasma is disposed. The antenna has coaxial conductors approximately one half wavelength long that are electrically connected to each other at their respective distal ends. A multiple integer of one half wavelength of a coaxial transmission line coupling the antenna energy and source may also form part of the antenna. The respective outer conductors of the transmission line and antenna are separated by an electrically small gap, but the respective center conductors are electrically connected.

Abstract: An apparatus for deposition of coatings upon substrates generates a non-local thermal equilibrium arc plasma at the relatively high pressure of at least approximately 1 atmosphere. A closed chamber (25) is defined by a cylindrical anode (11) and annular housings (21, 22) carrying transparent end plates (23, 24). A pencil-shaped cathode (12) is passed through one end plate (23 or 24) coaxially into chamber (25) so that its tapered end (20) is spatially proximate to an exit orifice (44) centrally located in anode (11). Gas ports (30, 31) permit the introduction of a preselected gaseous environment at the desired pressure into chamber (25). A low-current arc is struck between anode (11) and cathode (12) establishing the desired plasma. Two coils (33, 34) are coaxially placed radially outward of both ends of the chamber in a Helmholtz coil configuration to generate a uniform magnetic field in chamber (25) and induce rotation of the arc plasma.