Abstract: A process for producing a photovoltaic device that can improve the power generation characteristics of a solar cell having a heterojunction composed of a p-type crystalline Ge (substrate), an i-type amorphous silicon semiconductor layer, and an n-type amorphous silicon semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A multi-junction photovoltaic device and an integrated multi-junction photovoltaic device, having a two-terminal structure, in which subsequent layers can be stacked under conditions with minimal restrictions imposed by previously stacked layers. A plurality of photovoltaic cells having different spectral sensitivity levels are stacked such that at least the photovoltaic cells at the light-incident end and the opposite end have a conductive thin-film layer as the outermost layer that undergoes connection, the remaining photovoltaic cell has conductive thin-film layers as the outermost layers that undergo connection, and the outermost layers are bonded via anisotropic conductive adhesive layers containing conductive microparticles within a transparent insulating material.

Abstract: The linear semiconductor substrate 1 or 2 of the present invention comprises at least one desired thin film 4 formed on a linear substrate 3 having a length ten or more times greater than a width, thickness, or diameter of the linear substrate itself. Adopting semiconductor as the thin film 4 forms a linear semiconductor thin film. The linear semiconductor substrate 1 or 2 of the present invention is produced by utilizing a fiber-drawing technique which is a fabricating technique of optical fibers.

Abstract: A process for producing a photovoltaic device that can improve the power generation characteristics of a solar cell having a heterojunction composed of a p-type crystalline Ge (substrate), an i-type amorphous silicon semiconductor layer, and an n-type amorphous silicon semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A high-efficiency triple-junction thin-film photovoltaic device in which the haze ratio is high and the short-circuit current values obtained from each of the photovoltaic layers are equalized. A thin-film photovoltaic device comprises a transparent electrode layer and three silicon-based photovoltaic layers stacked in sequence on a substrate. The transparent electrode layer has at least one opening formed by an etching treatment that exposes the surface of the substrate, and the haze ratio of the transparent electrode layer relative to light of a broad wavelength region is at least 60%.

Abstract: A multi junction photovoltaic device and an integrated multi junction photovoltaic device, having a two-terminal structure, in which subsequent layers can be stacked under conditions with minimal restrictions imposed by previously stacked layers. Also, processes for producing these photovoltaic devices. A plurality of photovoltaic cells having different spectral sensitivity levels are stacked such that at least the photovoltaic cells (2, 4) at the light-incident end and the opposite end have a conductive thin-film layer (5a, 5d) as the outermost layer that undergoes connection, the remaining photovoltaic cell (3) has conductive thin-film layers (5b, 5c) as the outermost layers that undergo connection, and the outermost layers are bonded via anisotropic conductive adhesive layers (6a, 6b) containing conductive microparticles within a transparent insulating material.

Abstract: The linear semiconductor substrate 1 or 2 of the present invention comprises at least one desired thin film 4 formed on a linear substrate 3 having a length ten or more times greater than a width, thickness, or diameter of the linear substrate itself. Adopting semiconductor as the thin film 4 forms a linear semiconductor thin film. The linear semiconductor substrate 1 or 2 of the present invention is produced by utilizing a fiber-drawing technique which is a fabricating technique of optical fibers.

Abstract: The linear semiconductor substrate 1 or 2 of the present invention comprises at least one desired thin film 4 formed on a linear substrate 3 having a length ten or more times greater than a width, thickness, or diameter of the linear substrate itself. Adopting semiconductor as the thin film 4 forms a linear semiconductor thin film. The linear semiconductor substrate 1 or 2 of the present invention is produced by utilizing a fiber-drawing technique which is a fabricating technique of optical fibers.

Abstract: A display device includes a first fiber having a silicon layer or an oxide layer, on which an active element is formed on the surface of the fiber and a second fiber forming a combined one-dimensional substrate together with the first fiber by being combined with the first fiber and having light emitting layers formed on a plurality of domains of the device. The first fiber and the second fiber are respectively drawn out from take-up jigs, are cut in necessary lengths and separated into plural fibers, and these plural first or second fibers are mounted in parallel with each other on a fixing jig. In this state, at least one-side elements of active elements and passive elements are formed on the first or second fibers.

Abstract: The invention provides a display device using a one-dimensional substrate making layout of a substrate unnecessary and realizing a further low cost. A display device of the invention comprises a first fiber having a silicon layer or an oxide layer, on which an active element is formed, formed on the surface of it and a second fiber forming a combined one-dimensional substrate together with the first fiber by being combined with the first fiber and having light emitting layers formed on a plurality of domains of it, wherein the first fiber and the second fiber are respectively drawn out from take-up jigs, are cut in necessary lengths and separated into plural fibers, and these plural first or second fibers are mounted in parallel with each other on a fixing jig and in this state, at least one-side elements of active elements and passive elements are formed on the first or second fibers.

Abstract: Provided is a stain-proofing agent which forms a super hydrophilic stain-proofing film upon application to a surface of a substrate, which comprises using fumed silica dispersed in an aqueous solvent.

Abstract: The linear semiconductor substrate 1 or 2 of the present invention comprises at least one desired thin film 4 formed on a linear substrate 3 having a length ten or more times greater than a width, thickness, or diameter of the linear substrate itself. Adopting semiconductor as the thin film 4 forms a linear semiconductor thin film. The linear semiconductor substrate 1 or 2 of the present invention is produced by utilizing a fiber-drawing technique which is a fabricating technique of optical fibers.

Abstract: The invention provides a display device using a one-dimensional substrate making layout of a substrate unnecessary and realizing a further low cost. A display device of the invention comprises a first fiber 80 having a silicon layer or an oxide layer, on which an active element is formed, formed on the surface of it and a second fiber 81 forming a combined one-dimensional substrate together with the first fiber 80 by being combined with the first fiber 80 and having light emitting layers formed on a plurality of domains of it, wherein the first fiber 80 and the second fiber 81 are respectively drawn out from take-up jigs, are cut in necessary lengths and separated into plural fibers, and these plural first or second fibers 80 or 81 are mounted in parallel with each other on a fixing jig and in this state, at least one-side elements of active elements and passive elements are formed on the first or second fibers 80 or 81.

Abstract: Provided is a stain-proofing agent which forms a super hydrophilic stain-proofing film upon application to a surface of a substrate, which comprises using fumed silica dispersed in an aqueous solvent. Lasting stain-proofing property is imparted to the surface of a building material by the stain-proofing agent according to the invention. There are many single silanol groups which participate in hydrophilicity on the surface of fumed silica. The fumed silica has a high fixing property to the surface of a substrate and thus imparts lasting stain-proofing property to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A solar cell substrate has irregularities on a surface which is in contact with a photo-electric conversion layer, and light is incident on the side of the irregularities. The height of the irregularities is set so that the root mean square height is in a range of 15 nm to 600 nm, and tan &thgr; is in a range of 0.10 to 0.30, where &thgr; is the angle of incline of the surface of the irregularities with respect to an average line of the irregularities. Light incident on the irregularities is scattered at the interface. This increases the optical path length and thus the quantity of light absorbed in the photo-electric conversion layer, resulting in improved efficiency. Additionally, the photo-electric conversion layer can be made thinner reducing deposit time and manufacturing cost. Further, collision of crystals is not incurred, thus preventing deterioration of photo-electric conversion efficiency which is caused by defects.

Abstract: A solar cell assembly including a solar cell, a first lead electrode bonded to an end portion of one of opposite surfaces of the solar cell which functions as a light-receiving surface, a second lead electrode bonded to a substantially entire portion of the other of the opposite surfaces of the cell, and a metallic sheet which is bonded to one of opposite surfaces of the second lead electrode remote from the solar cell, and which has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the second lead electrode. Also disclosed is a photovoltaic electric generator of concentrator type including an array of a plurality of solar cell assemblies, and electrically conductive members in the form of metallic foils connected to the solar cell of each assembly, a heat dissipating layer formed of a synthetic resin containing a thermally conductive filler, and a base plate to which each cell assembly is fixed through the heat dissipating layer. The solar cell assembly is embedded in the heat dissipating layer.

Abstract: A thin film forming method and apparatus forms a thin film having an excellent thickness uniformity over a substrate, particularly a large-area substrate. The thin film forming method and apparatus includes a film forming chamber in which an inductive coupling electrode having a feeding portion and a grounding portion at its two ends is arranged, a high-frequency power source for feeding a high-frequency power to the feeding portion, and a waveform generator for amplitude-modulating the high-frequency power outputted from the high-frequency power source. The amplitude-modulated high-frequency power is fed to the inductive coupling electrode to generate a plasma so that a thin film may be formed on a substrate arranged to face the inductive coupling electrode.

Abstract: A solar cell substrate of the present invention has irregularities on a surface which is in contact with a photo-electric conversion layer, and light is incident on the side of the irregularities. The height of the irregularities is set so that the root mean square height is in a range of 15 nm to 600 nm, and tan &thgr; is in a range of 0.10 to 0.30, where &thgr; is the angle of incline of the surface of the irregularities with respect to an average line of the irregularities. According to this arrangement, the light incident on the irregularities is scattered at the interface. This increases the optical path length and thus the quantity of light absorbed in the photo-electric conversion layer. As a result, photo-electric conversion efficiency can be improved and the photo-electric conversion layer can be made thinner, thereby greatly reducing deposit time and manufacturing cost required for the photo-electric conversion layer.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a thin film forming method and apparatus which make it possible to form a thin film having an excellent thickness uniformity over a large-sized substrate.

Abstract: A submarine cable protecting device in which a plurality of pairs of half members are connected in series, includes a cylindrical portion which encloses a submarine cable. An outside spherical surface extending from one end of the cylindrical portion is provided at one end of each of the half members. An inside spherical surface extending from the other end of the cylindrical portion is provided at the other end of each of the half members, the inside spherical surface being shaped such that the inside spherical surface of one of the half members encompasses the outside spherical surface of another of the half members and the outside spherical surface cannot be detached from the inside spherical surface when the two half members are connected in series. The outside spherical surfaces of one pair of the half members has a reduced outside diameter when the outside spherical surfaces are contacted and the inside spherical surfaces are separated.