Abstract: A layer of an n-type chalcogenide compositions provided on a substrate in the presence of an oxidizing gas in an amount sufficient to provide a resistivity to the layer that is less than the resistivity a layer deposited under identical conditions but in the substantial absence of oxygen.

Abstract: A layer of an n-type chalcogenide compositions provided on a substrate in the presence of an oxidizing gas in an amount sufficient to provide a resistivity to the layer that is less than the resistivity a layer deposited under identical conditions but in the substantial absence of oxygen.

Abstract: A layer of an n-type chalcogenide compositions including at least cadmium that is provided on a substrate in the presence of an oxidizing gas in an amount sufficient to provide a resistivity to the layer that is less than the resistivity a layer deposited under identical conditions but in the substantial absence of oxygen. Such n-type chalcogenide compositions are particularly useful in the making of photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: A layer of an n-type chalcogenide compositions provided on a substrate in the presence of an oxidizing gas in an amount sufficient to provide a resistivity to the layer that is less than the resistivity a layer deposited under identical conditions but in the substantial absence of oxygen.

Abstract: This disclosure describes devices and methods in which photovoltaic cells are configured such that an active layer of a photovoltaic cell is protected against an environmental condition by another active cell layer that is more robust against the environmental condition. In one aspect, the disclosure describes a multi-junction photovoltaic device that includes (a) an upper photovoltaic cell portion that has a first plurality of active layers of films, at least a subset of which form an upper photovoltaic sub-cell and (b) a lower photovoltaic cell portion disposed below the upper photovoltaic cell portion that has a second plurality of layers of films, at least a subset of which form a lower photovoltaic sub-cell. The first plurality of active layers, of the upper cell portion, include at least two layers of films having different degrees of robustness from each other against environmental conditions, such as exposure to water or oxygen.