Patents by Inventor AUGUSTIN J. HONG

AUGUSTIN J. HONG has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11444215
    Abstract: A device and method for fabricating a photovoltaic device includes forming a double layer transparent conductive oxide on a transparent substrate. The double layer transparent conductive oxide includes forming a doped electrode layer on the substrate, and forming a buffer layer on the doped electrode layer. The buffer layer includes an undoped or p-type doped intrinsic form of a same material as the doped electrode layer. A light-absorbing semiconductor structure includes a p-type semiconductor layer on the buffer layer, an intrinsic layer and an n-type semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, BAY ZU PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shun-Ming Chen, Chien-Chih Huang, Joel P. Desouza, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Chien-Yeh Ku, Devendra K. Sadana, Chuan-Wen Wang
  • Patent number: 11011655
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method include forming a plurality of pillar structures in a substrate, forming a first electrode layer on the pillar structures and forming a continuous photovoltaic stack including an N-type layer, a P-type layer and an intrinsic layer on the first electrode. A second electrode layer is deposited over the photovoltaic stack such that gaps or fissures occur in the second electrode layer between the pillar structures. The second electrode layer is wet etched to open up the gaps or fissures and reduce the second electrode layer to form a three-dimensional electrode of substantially uniform thickness over the photovoltaic stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith E. Fogel, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 10756220
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate having a plurality of hole shapes formed therein. The plurality of hole shapes each have a hole opening extending from a first surface and narrowing with depth into the substrate. The plurality of hole shapes form a hole pattern on the first surface, and the hole pattern includes flat areas separating the hole shapes on the first surface. A photovoltaic device stack is formed on the first surface and extends into the hole shapes. Methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith E. Fogel, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 10741706
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate layer having a plurality of three-dimensional structures formed therein providing a textured profile. A first electrode is formed over the substrate layer and extends over the three-dimensional structures including non-planar surfaces. The first electrode has a thickness configured to maintain the textured profile, and the first electrode includes a transparent conductive material having a dopant metal activated within the transparent conductive material. A continuous photovoltaic stack is conformally formed over the first electrode, and a second electrode is formed on the photovoltaic stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Keith E. Fogel, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 10727367
    Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes providing a substrate. A layer is deposited to form one or more layers of a photovoltaic stack on the substrate. The depositing of the amorphous layer includes performing a high power flash deposition for depositing a first portion of the layer. A low power deposition is performed for depositing a second portion of the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tze-Chiang Chen, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 10672932
    Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes providing a substrate. A layer is deposited to form one or more layers of a photovoltaic stack on the substrate. The depositing of the amorphous layer includes performing a high power flash deposition for depositing a first portion of the layer. A low power deposition is performed for depositing a second portion of the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tze-Chiang Chen, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Publication number: 20200152809
    Abstract: A device and method for fabricating a photovoltaic device includes forming a double layer transparent conductive oxide on a transparent substrate. The double layer transparent conductive oxide includes forming a doped electrode layer on the substrate, and forming a buffer layer on the doped electrode layer. The buffer layer includes an undoped or p-type doped intrinsic form of a same material as the doped electrode layer. A light-absorbing semiconductor structure includes a p-type semiconductor layer on the buffer layer, an intrinsic layer and an n-type semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: SHUN-MING CHEN, CHIEN-CHIH HUANG, JOEL P. DESOUZA, AUGUSTIN J. HONG, JEEHWAN KIM, CHIEN-YEH KU, DEVENDRA K. SADANA, CHUAN-WEN WANG
  • Patent number: 10593815
    Abstract: A device and method for fabricating a photovoltaic device includes forming a double layer transparent conductive oxide on a transparent substrate. The double layer transparent conductive oxide includes forming a doped electrode layer on the substrate, and forming a buffer layer on the doped electrode layer. The buffer layer includes an undoped or p-type doped intrinsic form of a same material as the doped electrode layer. A light-absorbing semiconductor structure includes a p-type semiconductor layer on the buffer layer, an intrinsic layer and an n-type semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, BAY ZU PRECISION CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shun-Ming Chen, Chien-Chih Huang, Joel P. Desouza, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Chien-Yeh Ku, Devendra K. Sadana, Chuan-Wen Wang
  • Publication number: 20190326463
    Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes providing a substrate. A layer is deposited to form one or more layers of a photovoltaic stack on the substrate. The depositing of the amorphous layer includes performing a high power flash deposition for depositing a first portion of the layer. A low power deposition is performed for depositing a second portion of the layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: TZE-CHIANG CHEN, AUGUSTIN J. HONG, JEEHWAN KIM, DEVENDRA K. SADANA
  • Patent number: 10403779
    Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes providing a substrate. A layer is deposited to form one or more layers of a photovoltaic stack on the substrate. The depositing of the amorphous layer includes performing a high power flash deposition for depositing a first portion of the layer. A low power deposition is performed for depositing a second portion of the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tze-Chiang Chen, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Publication number: 20190259886
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate having a plurality of hole shapes formed therein. The plurality of hole shapes each have a hole opening extending from a first surface and narrowing with depth into the substrate. The plurality of hole shapes form a hole pattern on the first surface, and the hole pattern includes flat areas separating the hole shapes on the first surface. A photovoltaic device stack is formed on the first surface and extends into the hole shapes. Methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Keith E. Fogel, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 10388808
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate having a plurality of hole shapes formed therein. The plurality of hole shapes each have a hole opening extending from a first surface and narrowing with depth into the substrate. The plurality of hole shapes form a hole pattern on the first surface, and the hole pattern includes flat areas separating the hole shapes on the first surface. A photovoltaic device stack is formed on the first surface and extends into the hole shapes. Methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Keith E. Fogel, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Publication number: 20190237597
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method include forming a plurality of pillar structures in a substrate, forming a first electrode layer on the pillar structures and forming a continuous photovoltaic stack including an N-type layer, a P-type layer and an intrinsic layer on the first electrode. A second electrode layer is deposited over the photovoltaic stack such that gaps or fissures occur in the second electrode layer between the pillar structures. The second electrode layer is wet etched to open up the gaps or fissures and reduce the second electrode layer to form a three-dimensional electrode of substantially uniform thickness over the photovoltaic stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: KEITH E. FOGEL, AUGUSTIN J. HONG, JEEHWAN KIM, DEVENDRA K. SADANA
  • Publication number: 20190214519
    Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes providing a substrate. A layer is deposited to form one or more layers of a photovoltaic stack on the substrate. The depositing of the amorphous layer includes performing a high power flash deposition for depositing a first portion of the layer. A low power deposition is performed for depositing a second portion of the layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: TZE-CHIANG CHEN, AUGUSTIN J. HONG, JEEHWAN KIM, DEVENDRA K. SADANA
  • Patent number: 10347779
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method include forming a plurality of pillar structures in a substrate, forming a first electrode layer on the pillar structures and forming a continuous photovoltaic stack including an N-type layer, a P-type layer and an intrinsic layer on the first electrode. A second electrode layer is deposited over the photovoltaic stack such that gaps or fissures occur in the second electrode layer between the pillar structures. The second electrode layer is wet etched to open up the gaps or fissures and reduce the second electrode layer to form a three-dimensional electrode of substantially uniform thickness over the photovoltaic stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Keith E. Fogel, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 10319872
    Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes providing a substrate. A layer is deposited to form one or more layers of a photovoltaic stack on the substrate. The depositing of the amorphous layer includes performing a high power flash deposition for depositing a first portion of the layer. A low power deposition is performed for depositing a second portion of the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tze-Chiang Chen, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 10230010
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method include forming a plurality of pillar structures in a substrate, forming a first electrode layer on the pillar structures and forming a continuous photovoltaic stack including an N-type layer, a P-type layer and an intrinsic layer on the first electrode. A second electrode layer is deposited over the photovoltaic stack such that gaps or fissures occur in the second electrode layer between the pillar structures. The second electrode layer is wet etched to open up the gaps or fissures and reduce the second electrode layer to form a three-dimensional electrode of substantially uniform thickness over the photovoltaic stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith E. Fogel, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 10230015
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a p-type layer. An intrinsic layer is formed directly on the p-type layer and includes an interface region extending into the intrinsic layer that includes a gradually decreasing band gap energy going from the p-type layer into the intrinsic layer formed by a graded deposition temperature. An n-type layer is formed directly on the intrinsic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmed Abou-Kandil, Keith E. Fogel, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Mohamed Saad, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Publication number: 20180315867
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate having a plurality of hole shapes formed therein. The plurality of hole shapes each have a hole opening extending from a first surface and narrowing with depth into the substrate. The plurality of hole shapes form a hole pattern on the first surface, and the hole pattern includes flat areas separating the hole shapes on the first surface. A photovoltaic device stack is formed on the first surface and extends into the hole shapes. Methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Keith E. Fogel, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 10056510
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate having a plurality of hole shapes formed therein. The plurality of hole shapes each have a hole opening extending from a first surface and narrowing with depth into the substrate. The plurality of hole shapes form a hole pattern on the first surface, and the hole pattern includes flat areas separating the hole shapes on the first surface. A photovoltaic device stack is formed on the first surface and extends into the hole shapes. Methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Keith E. Fogel, Augustin J. Hong, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana