Abstract: A coated glass pane comprising at least the following layers in sequence: a glass substrate; a lower anti-reflection layer, comprising in sequence from the glass substrate; a layer based on an oxide of Zn and Sn and/or an oxide of Sn, a separation layer based on a metal oxide and/or an (oxi)nitride of silicon and/or an (oxi)nitride of aluminum, and a top layer based on an oxide of Zn; and a silver-based functional layer.

Abstract: A process for the production of an optoelectronic device, such as a photovoltaic cell or a light emitting diode is disclosed. The process comprises providing a substrate having a conductive coating on at least one surface, the conductive coating having an initial roughness and at least one or more spikes, and applying a functional component to the coated surface of the substrate. The surface of the substrate having the conductive coating has been subjected to a polishing step using at least one brush to reduce the height of the spikes inherent to the conductive coating and to give the conductive coating a final roughness. By reducing the spikes there is less potential for the optoelectronic device to suffer from electrical shunts which reduce the efficiency of the device.

Abstract: Transparent conducting electrodes incorporate an interface layer located on the transparent conducting oxide (TCO) layer of the electrode. The interface layer offers a suitable surface for deposition of further layers in order to fabricate electronic devices such as electrochromic devices or organic light emitting diodes. Problems such as pinholes and short circuiting, associated with the inherent roughness of the TCO layer, are reduced.

Abstract: A transparent conducting electrode is disclosed having a coating stack structure, including a dielectric layer, a functional layer based on silver, a barrier layer and a further dielectric layer. The unique coating stack offers an electrode having requisite electrical properties and the ability to withstand elevated temperatures associated with further treatment, e.g. in the manufacture of photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: A coated glass pane comprising at least the following layers in sequence: a glass substrate; a lower anti-reflection layer; a silver-based functional layer; a barrier layer, comprising at least the following three partial barrier layers in sequence from the silver-based functional layer, a lower partial barrier layer based on an oxide of Zn, Ti, ZnSn, InSn, Zr, Al, Sn and/or Si, and/or an (oxi)nitride of Si and/or of Al, having a thickness of at most 5 nm, a central partial barrier layer based on an oxide of Zn, Ti, Zn Sn, InSn, Zr, Al, Sn and/or Si, and/or an (oxi)nitride of Si and/or of Al, having a thickness of at most 5 nm, and an upper partial barrier layer based on an oxide of Zn, Ti, Zn Sn, InSn, Zr, Al, Sn and/or Si, and/or an (oxi)nitride of Si and/or of Al, having a thickness of at most 10 nm; and an upper anti-reflection layer; wherein the central partial barrier layer has a different composition to both the lower partial barrier layer and the upper partial barrier layer.

Abstract: A coated glass pane comprising at least the following layers in sequence: a glass substrate; a lower anti-reflection layer, comprising in sequence from the glass substrate; a layer based on an oxide of Zn and Sn and/or an oxide of Sn, a separation layer based on a metal oxide and/or an (oxi)nitride of silicon and/or an (oxi)nitride of aluminum, and a top layer based on an oxide of Zn; and a silver-based functional layer.

Abstract: Sputtered zinc oxide layer is used to improve and control the crystalline properties of a molybdenum back contact used in photovoltaic cells. Optimum thicknesses for the zinc oxide layer are identified.

Abstract: A process for the production of an optoelectronic device, such as a photovoltaic cell or a light emitting diode is disclosed. The process comprises providing a substrate having a conductive coating on at least one surface, the conductive coating having an initial roughness and at least one or more spikes, and applying a functional component to the coated surface of the substrate. The surface of the substrate having the conductive coating has been subjected to a polishing step using at least one brush to reduce the height of the spikes inherent to the conductive coating and to give the conductive coating a final roughness. By reducing the spikes there is less potential for the optoelectronic device to suffer from electrical shunts which reduce the efficiency of the device.

Abstract: Flat glass composition comprising the following (expressed as percentages by weight): SiO2 60 75%; Al2O3 0 5%; Na2O 10 18%; K2O 0 5.5%; CaO 0 5%; MgO 0-2%; SO3 0 1%; Fe2O3 (total iron)>0.01%; TiO2 0-1% and one or both of: SrO 0-15%; BaO 0-15% with the proviso that the summed amount of SrO and BaO is greater than 4%. A preferred composition comprises: SiO2 65-74%; Al2O3 0-3%; Na2O 13 16%; K2O 0-2%; CaO 1-4.9%; MgO 0-2%; SO3 0-1%; Fe2O3 (total iron)>0.01%; TiO2 0 1%; BaO 4-10%; SrO 0-5%, wherein the summed amount of the alkaline earth metal constituents is in the range 10-13% and the summed amount of the alkali metal constituents is in the range 14-16%. The ferrous level of the glass may be greater than or equal to 28%, its performance in a thickness of 5 mm or less may be greater than or equal to 29 at LTA?70%, and greater than or equal to 27 at LTA?75%, and its liquidus temperature may be less than or equal to 980° C.

Abstract: A transparent front electrode for a photovoltaic device comprising at least the following layers in sequence: —a glass substrate; —a lower anti-reflection layer, comprising in sequence from the glass substrate *a base layer of an (oxi)nitride of silicon and/or an (oxi)nitride of aluminium, *a middle layer of an oxide of Zn and Sn, *a top layer of an oxide of Zn; —a silver-based functional layer; and —an upper anti-reflection layer comprising in sequence from the silver-based functional layer *a first barrier layer of an oxide of Ni and Cr, *a second barrier layer of an Al-doped oxide of Zn, and *a buffer layer; wherein the first barrier layer of an oxide of Ni and Cr is located directly in contact with the silver-based functional layer or the first barrier layer of an oxide of Ni and Cr is separated from the silver-based functional layer by one or more additional barrier layers.

Abstract: A solar unit glass plate having a composition comprising the following constituents, the amounts of which are expressed as percentages by weight: SiO2 60-75%; Al2O3 0-5%; Na2O 10-18%; K2O 0-5%; CaO 0-11%; MgO 0-5%; SO3 0-1%; Fe2O3<0.15%; and one or both of: SrO 0-15% and BaO 0-15%, with the proviso that the summed amount of SrO and BaO is greater than 1%. Also a glass plate for use as a cover plate or backing plate for a solar unit, the plate having a composition comprising the following constituents, similarly expressed: SiO2 65-74%; Al2O3 0-3%; Na2O 12-15%; K2O 0-2%; CaO 0-11%; MgO 0-2%; SO3 0-1%; Fe2O3 (total iron)<0.1%; and one or both of: SrO 2-10% and BaO 1.5-10%, with the proviso that the summed amount of SrO and BaO is greater than 2%.

Abstract: Flat glass composition comprising the following (expressed as percentages by weight): SiO2 60 75%; Al2O3 0 5%; Na2O 10 18%; K2O 0 5.5%; CaO 0 5%; MgO 0-2%; SO3 0 1%; Fe2O3 (total iron)>0.01%; TiO2 0-1% and one or both of: SrO 0-15%; BaO 0-15% with the proviso that the summed amount of SrO and BaO is greater than 4%. A preferred composition comprises: SiO2 65-74%; Al2O3 0-3%; Na2O 13 16%; K2O 0-2%; CaO 1-4.9%; MgO 0-2%; SO3 0-1%; Fe2O3 (total iron)>0.01%; TiO2 0 1%; BaO 4-10%; SrO 0-5%, wherein the summed amount of the alkaline earth metal constituents is in the range 10-13% and the summed amount of the alkali metal constituents is in the range 14-16%. The ferrous level of the glass may be greater than or equal to 28%, its performance in a thickness of 5 mm or less may be greater than or equal to 29 at LTA?70%, and greater than or equal to 27 at LTA?75%, and its liquidus temperature may be less than or equal to 980° C.