Patents Assigned to AMBERWAVE, INC.
  • Patent number: 10971647
    Abstract: A method of forming a solar cell device that includes forming a porous layer in a monocrystalline donor substrate and forming an epitaxial semiconductor layer on the porous layer. A solar cell structure is formed on the epitaxial semiconductor layer. A carrier substrate is bonded to the solar cell structure through a bonding layer. The monocrystalline donor substrate is removed by cleaving the porous layer. A grid of metal contacts is formed on the epitaxial semiconductor layer. The exposed portions of the epitaxial semiconductor layer are removed. The exposed surface of the solar cell structure is textured. The textured surface may be passivated, in which the passivated surface can provide an anti-reflective coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: AmberWave, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Lochtefeld, Allen Barnett
  • Publication number: 20180226533
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for solar cell construction and bonding/layer transfer are disclosed herein. An exemplary structure of solar cell construction involves providing a monocrystalline donor layer. A solder bonding layer bonds the donor layer to a carrier substrate. A porous layer may be used to separate the donor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Amberwave Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Lochtefeld, Chris Leitz, Mark Carroll
  • Patent number: 9812601
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for a multi junction solar cell are described herein. An exemplary multi-solar cell structure can have a substrate having a first surface having a (111) crystalline etched surface. A dielectric layer can be deposited on the first surface of the substrate. A graded buffer layer can be grown on a second surface of the substrate with the second surface having a (100) crystalline surface. A first solar subcell within or on top of the graded buffer layer and a second solar subcell grown on top of the first solar subcell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Amberwave Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Lochtefeld
  • Patent number: 9590130
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for solar cell construction and bonding/layer transfer are disclosed herein. An exemplary structure of solar cell construction involves providing a monocrystalline donor layer. A solder bonding layer bonds the donor layer to a carrier substrate. A porous layer may be used to separate the donor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: AMBERWAVE INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Lochtefeld, Chris Leitz, Mark Carroll
  • Publication number: 20160049535
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for solar cell construction and layer transfer are disclosed herein. An exemplary method of solar cell construction involves providing a silicon donor substrate. A porous layer is formed on the donor substrate. A first portion of a solar cell is constructed on the porous layer of the donor substrate. The solar cell and donor substrate are bonded to a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate and the first portion of a solar cell are then separated from the donor substrate at the porous layer. A second portion of a solar cell may then be constructed on the first portion of a solar cell providing a single completed solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: AMBERWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Lochtefeld, Chris Leitz
  • Patent number: 9178105
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for solar cell construction and layer transfer are disclosed herein. An exemplary method of solar cell construction involves providing a silicon donor substrate. A porous layer is formed on the donor substrate. A first portion of a solar cell is constructed on the porous layer of the donor substrate. The solar cell and donor substrate are bonded to a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate and the first portion of a solar cell are then separated from the donor substrate at the porous layer. A second portion of a solar cell may then be constructed on the first portion of a solar cell providing a single completed solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Amberwave Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Lochtefeld, Chris Leitz
  • Publication number: 20140261652
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for a multi junction solar cell are described herein. An exemplary multi-solar cell structure can have a substrate having a first surface having a (111) crystalline etched surface. A dielectric layer can be deposited on the first surface of the substrate. A graded buffer layer can be grown on a second surface of the substrate with the second surface having a (100) crystalline surface. A first solar subcell within or on top of the graded buffer layer and a second solar subcell grown on top of the first solar subcell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Amberwave Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Lochtefeld
  • Publication number: 20130056053
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for a multi-junction solar cell is described herein. An exemplary silicon germanium solar cell structure has a substrate with a graded buffer layer grown on the substrate. A base layer and emitter layer for a first solar cell are grown in or on the graded buffer layer. A first junction is provided between the emitter layer and the base layer. A second solar cell is grown on top of the first solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: AMBERWAVE INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Lochtefeld, Andrew Gerger
  • Publication number: 20120273043
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for solar cell construction and bonding/layer transfer are disclosed herein. An exemplary structure of solar cell construction involves providing a monocrystalline donor layer. A solder bonding layer bonds the donor layer to a carrier substrate. A porous layer may be used to separate the donor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: AMBERWAVE INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Lochtefeld, Chris Leitz, Mark Carroll
  • Publication number: 20120067423
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for solar cell construction and layer transfer are disclosed herein. An exemplary method of solar cell construction involves providing a silicon donor substrate. A porous layer is formed on the donor substrate. A first portion of a solar cell is constructed on the porous layer of the donor substrate. The solar cell and donor substrate are bonded to a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate and the first portion of a solar cell are then separated from the donor substrate at the porous layer. A second portion of a solar cell may then be constructed on the first portion of a solar cell providing a single completed solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: AMBERWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Lochtefeld, Chris Leitz
  • Publication number: 20110272011
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for a thin Si solar cell with epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) structure described in may demonstrate higher open circuit voltage are disclosed herein. An exemplary thin silicon solar cell structure has a p+ silicon substrate. A dielectric layer is disposed over the p+ silicon substrate. One or more trenches are defined within the dielectric layer. A thin n type silicon layer is grown on the p+ silicon substrate within the trench by epitaxial lateral overgrowth wherein a junction area of the solar cell is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: AMBERWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Lochtefeld, Allen Barnett
  • Publication number: 20110174376
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for solar cell construction and bonding/layer transfer are disclosed herein. An exemplary structure of solar cell construction involves providing a monocrystalline donor absorber layer. A conductive bonding layer bonds the absorber layer to a carrier substrate. A porous layer or ion implant may be used to form the donor absorber layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: AMBERWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Lochtefeld, Jizhong Li, Allen Barnett, Donald Stryker
  • Publication number: 20110120538
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for a silicon germanium solar cell structure. An exemplary silicon germanium solar cell structure has a substrate with a graded buffer layer grown on the substrate. An absorber layer is grown on the graded buffer layer and an emitter layer is grown on the absorber layer. A first junction is provided between the emitter layer and the absorber layer. A second junction may be provided between the substrate and the graded buffer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: AMBERWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Lochtefeld, Allen Barnett