Abstract: A solar cell containing a plurality of CIGS absorber sublayers has a conversion efficiency of at least 13.4 percent and a minority carrier lifetime below 2 nanoseconds. The sublayers may have a different composition from each other.

Abstract: A solar cell containing a plurality of CIGS absorber sublayers has a conversion efficiency of at least 13.4 percent and a minority carrier lifetime below 2 nanoseconds. The sublayers may have a different composition from each other.

Abstract: A solar cell containing a plurality of CIGS absorber sublayers has a conversion efficiency of at least 13.4 percent and a minority carrier lifetime below 2 nanoseconds. The sublayers may have a different composition from each other.

Abstract: A cable clip is provided for mounting cables onto solar modules. The cable clip is a one piece assembly that is comprised of two main sections: a first recess for clipping onto a solar module and a second recess for receiving a cable from a solar module. The cable clip may be designed in either a parallel or perpendicular configuration which gives installers of solar modules maximum flexibility when mounting cables onto modules. A multi-level clip is also described for cases when a multitude of cables are required to be mounted onto a solar module.

Abstract: A clip assembly includes a first clip comprising two opposing contact surfaces connected by a U-shaped hinge, where each of the two opposing contact surfaces has protruding flanges with teeth for engaging a surface inserted between the flanges. The clip assembly further includes a second clip comprising two opposing contact surfaces connected by a U-shaped hinge, wherein each of the two opposing contact surfaces has protruding flanges with teeth for engaging a surface inserted between the flanges. The clip assembly also includes a wire connected to the first clip at one end of the wire and to the second clip at another end of the wire.

Abstract: A magnetron sputtering system comprising a vacuum processing chamber having a chamber shield, a magnetron assembly, and a substrate, the magnetron assembly comprising a permanent magnetic assembly and an electromagnetic coil assembly, a first impedance circuit coupled between a power supply and the electromagnetic coil assembly, the first impedance circuit comprising a first resistor and a first capacitor, and a second impedance circuit having a second resistor and a second capacitor, and coupled between the substrate and a susceptor.

Abstract: A clip assembly includes a first clip comprising two opposing contact surfaces connected by a U-shaped hinge, where each of the two opposing contact surfaces has protruding flanges with teeth for engaging a surface inserted between the flanges. The clip assembly further includes a second clip comprising two opposing contact surfaces connected by a U-shaped hinge, wherein each of the two opposing contact surfaces has protruding flanges with teeth for engaging a surface inserted between the flanges. The clip assembly also includes a wire connected to the first clip at one end of the wire and to the second clip at another end of the wire.

Abstract: A cable clip is provided for mounting cables onto solar modules. The cable clip is a one piece assembly that is comprised of two main sections: a first recess for clipping onto a solar module and a second recess for receiving a cable from a solar module. The cable clip may be designed in either a parallel or perpendicular configuration which gives installers of solar modules maximum flexibility when mounting cables onto modules. A multi-level clip is also described for cases when a multitude of cables are required to be mounted onto a solar module.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell including providing a substrate, depositing a first electrode over the substrate and depositing at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer over the first electrode. The p-type semiconductor absorber layer comprises a copper indium selenide (CIS) based alloy material. The method also includes depositing by reactive sputtering an n-type In-VI semiconductor layer over the at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer and depositing a second electrode over the n-type In-VI semiconductor layer.

Abstract: One photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and at least one device selected from a sensor, a data storage device and an indicator. Another photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a flexible circuit configured to act as an antenna for electromagnetic radiation. Methods of using such photovoltaic modules are also disclosed.

Abstract: One photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and at least one device selected from a sensor, a data storage device and an indicator. Another photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a flexible circuit configured to act as an antenna for electromagnetic radiation. Methods of using such photovoltaic modules are also disclosed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module includes a plurality of PV cells and a plurality of reconfigurable interconnects which electrically interconnect the plurality of PV cells.

Abstract: An optical wavelength division multiplexer and de-multiplexer device, and a method of aligning components thereof. The device includes a base plate and a series of free-space optical components including collimators, narrow band filters, and reflective mirrors mounted to the base plate. The free-space light beam is reflected off of each narrow band filter in a serial manner, whereby narrow bands of light matching the filter are focused into output optical fibers. Each component may be individually adjusted and fixed to the base plate by computer-controlled robotics, a pair of rotating servo tables, a light detector and a wavelength detector, to achieve accurate optical alignment and provide compensation among the components. Special mounting components including convex pedestals, ring support structures, concave mounting plates, and mounting blocks with through-holes are used to fix the position and angle of the various optical components.

Abstract: An optical wavelength division multiplexer and de-multiplexer, for single or multi-mode fiber optic communications, includes a base plate that serves as a miniature optical bench, and a series of free-space optical components including collimators, narrow band filters, and highly efficient reflective mirrors mounted to the base plate. The free-space light beam is reflected off of each narrow band filter in a serial manner, whereby narrow bands of light matching the filter are focused into output optical fibers. Each component may be individually adjusted by computer-controlled robotics to achieve accurate optical alignment and provide compensation among the components. The angle of incidence of the light signals at the filters is kept below 10 degrees for DWDM applications, and below about 14 degrees for CWDM applications to minimize polarization dispersion loss. A simplified sealing system provides robust protection from environmental hazards, while further reducing costs and improving manufacturing yields.