Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a cathode region of the diode, a first buffer region adjacent to the cathode region at a rear surface side of a semiconductor substrate, a collector region of the IGBT, and a second buffer region adjacent to the collector region at the rear surface side. The method includes forming the step portion on the front surface so that the thin portion and the thick portion are formed in the semiconductor substrate, and injecting n-type impurities to a range on the front surface extending across the thin and thick portions so that the first buffer region and the second buffer region are formed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device (e.g., solar cell) includes: a front substrate (e.g., glass substrate); a semiconductor absorber film; a back contact including a first conductive layer of or including copper (Cu) and a second conductive layer of or including molybdenum (Mo); and a rear substrate (e.g., glass substrate). The first conductive layer of or including copper is located between at least the rear substrate and the second conductive layer of or including molybdenum, and wherein the semiconductor absorber film is located between at least the back contact and the front substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a solar cell with improved photoelectric conversion efficiency. The solar cell includes a photoelectric conversion body and first and second electrodes. The photoelectric conversion body includes a substrate made of semiconductor material. The first and second electrodes are disposed at intervals on one main surface of the photoelectric conversion body. Terraces each formed of a crystal plane are provided on a main surface of the substrate on the one main surface side of the photoelectric conversion body. At least one of the terraces exists between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A conductive paste composition contains a source of an electrically conductive metal, a Ti—Te—Li oxide, and an organic vehicle. An article such as a high-efficiency photovoltaic cell is formed by a process of deposition of the paste composition on a semiconductor substrate (e.g., by screen printing) and firing the paste to remove the organic vehicle and sinter the metal and establish electrical contact between it and the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thin-film solar cell (10) comprising a substrate (1) of metal or glass, a dielectric barrier layer (2) based on a polysilazane and a photovoltaic layer structure (4) of the copper-indium sulphide (CIS) type or the copper-indium selenide (CIGSe) type.

Abstract: The photoelectric conversion element includes a semiconductor substrate, a first amorphous film of a first conductivity type disposed on an entire surface of one surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first conductive oxide layer disposed on the first amorphous film, a second amorphous film of the first conductivity type disposed on a part of the other surface of the semiconductor substrate, a second conductive oxide layer disposed on the second amorphous film, a third amorphous film of a second conductivity type disposed on the other part of the other surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a third conductive oxide layer disposed on the third amorphous film. Electric conductivity of the first conductive oxide layer is lower than electric conductivities of the second and the third conductive oxide layer. Transmittance of the first conductive oxide layer is higher than transmittances of the second and the third conductive oxide layer.

Abstract: A solar cell and a method for manufacturing the same are discussed. The solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate, a first doped region of a first conductive type, a second doped region of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type, a back passivation layer having contact holes exposing a portion of each of the first and second doped regions, a first electrode formed on the first doped region exposed through the contact holes, a second electrode formed on the second doped region exposed through the contact holes, an alignment mark formed at one surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a textured surface that is formed at a light receiving surface of the semiconductor substrate opposite the one surface of the semiconductor substrate in which the first and second doped regions are formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a crystalline cadmium stannate layer of a photovoltaic device by heating an amorphous layer in the presence of hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A conductive silver via paste comprising particulate conductive silver, a vanadium-phosphorus-antimony-zinc-based-oxide, a tellurium-boron-phosphorus-based-oxide or a tellurium-molybdenum-cerium-based-oxide and an organic vehicle is particularly useful in providing the metallization of the holes in the silicon wafers of MWT solar cells. The result is a metallic electrically conductive via between the collector lines on the front side and the emitter electrode on the back-side of the solar cell. The paste can also be used to form the collector lines on the front-side of the solar cell and the emitter electrode on the back-side of the solar cell. Also disclosed are metal-wrap-through silicon solar cells comprising the fired conductive silver paste.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell having a transparent conductive film at the inner surface of a tube-shaped transparent glass vessel, a semiconductor film photoelectrode to which a dye has been adsorbed formed on this transparent conductive film, and a counter electrode provided in the tube-shaped vessel spaced from this photoelectrode and an electrolytic solution enclosed in the tube-shaped vessel. Both ends of the tube-shaped vessel are tightly sealed by formation of sealing portions melting and compress the glass of the vessel; the transparent conductive film extends into the sealing portion at one end of the tube and an external lead is connected electrically to said transparent conductive film and is led out from the sealing portion to the outside of the tube-shaped vessel; and a lead connected electrically to the counter electrode is led out from the sealing portion at the other end to the outside of the tube-shaped vessel.

Abstract: An electrode for electrically connecting two photovoltaic cells is provided. Each photovoltaic cell may include a plurality of lamellar electrically conductive surface regions. The electrode may include a plurality of electrically conductive wires extending adjacent to one other; and a stabilizing structure coupled to the plurality of electrically conductive wires such that the space between the electrically conductive wires to one another is defined until the plurality of electrically conductive wires has been fixed on the plurality of lamellar electrically conductive surface regions of a photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a semiconductor wafer, at least one dielectric layer arranged on the semiconductor wafer, a metal layer arranged on the dielectric layer, and a contact structure arranged in the dielectric layer such that the contact structure provides an electrical connection between the metal layer and the semiconductor wafer. The contact structure has at least one first structure having a minimum dimension and at least one second structure having a maximum dimension, wherein the minimum dimension and the maximum dimension are defined along a surface of the semiconductor wafer and the minimum dimension of the first structure is greater than the maximum dimension of the second structure.

Abstract: Coated article having antireflective property together with self cleaning, moisture resistance and antimicrobial properties can be prepared with a topmost layer of titanium oxide on an antireflective layer, which can be formed by a sol-gel process. The antireflective layer can comprise a porosity forming agent, or an alkyltrialkoxysilane-based binder. The antireflective coating can comprise silica and titania components, with pores to achieve low index of refraction and titania to achieve self-cleaning and antimicrobial properties.

Abstract: A solar cell has a passivation film formed on a crystalline silicon substrate that has at least a p-n junction, and an electrode formed by printing and heat-treating a conductive paste. The solar cell has a first electrode comprising an extraction electrode, which extracts photogenerated carriers from the silicon substrate, formed so as to contact the silicon substrate and a second collector electrode, which collects the carriers collected at the extraction electrode, formed so as to contact the first electrode. Other than the point of contact between the first electrode and the second electrode, at least, the second electrode contacts the silicon substrate only partially or not at all. By leaving the passivation film between the collector electrode and the silicon, either completely or partially, the solar cell reduces charge losses at electrode/silicon interfaces, improves the short-circuit current and open voltage, and yields improved characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a solar cell from a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, the semiconductor substrate having a front side and a back side, the method comprising in this sequence: creating by diffusion of a dopant of a second conductivity type a second conductivity-type doped layer in the front side and the back side, during diffusion forming of a dopant containing glassy layer on the front and back side; removing the second conductivity-type doped layer and the dopant containing glassy layer from the back side by a single sided etching process, while maintaining the dopant-containing glassy layer in the front side; creating a Back Surface Field (BSF) layer of the first conductivity type on the back side by implantation of a dopant of the first conductivity type into the back side; removing the dopant containing glassy layer from the front side of said substrate by an etching process; surface oxidation by heating said substrate for a predetermined period of t

Abstract: A conducting material can include a fibrous substrate and a conductive polymer coating on a surface of the fibrous substrate.

Abstract: A bypass diode includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a p electrode as a first conductive type electrode and an n electrode as a second conductive type electrode arranged on the first surface, a back surface electrode arranged on the second surface and having a polarity identical to that of the semiconductor substrate, a first oxide layer arranged on the first surface, and a second oxide layer arranged on the second surface.

Abstract: A system includes utilizes optical sensors arranged within or on portions of an electrochemical energy device (e.g., a rechargeable Li-ion battery, supercapacitor or fuel cell) to measure operating parameters (e.g., mechanical strain and/or temperature) of the electrochemical energy device during charge/recharge cycling. The measured parameter data is transmitted by way of light signals along optical fibers to a controller, which converts the light signals to electrical data signal using a light source/analyzer. A processor then extracts temperature and strain data features from the data signals, and utilizes a model-based process to detect intercalation stage changes (i.e., characteristic crystalline structure changes caused by certain concentrations of guest species, such as Li-ions, within the electrode material of the electrochemical energy device) indicated by the data features. The detected intercalation stage changes are used to generate highly accurate operating state information (e.g.

Abstract: A solar cell device and a method of fabricating the device is described. The solar cell is fabricated by forming a back contact layer on a front side of a substrate, forming an absorber layer on the back contact layer, applying a protective layer on a back side of the substrate, depositing a buffer layer on the absorber layer. Excess buffer materials are deposited on the substrate back side, and the protective layer with excess buffer materials are removed.

Abstract: Apparatus comprise a photovoltaic cell arrangement having a front surface and a rear surface, and first and second conductor patterns formed on different ones of the front and rear surfaces. The first conductor pattern comprises at least one loop, and the apparatus comprises at least a first terminal connected to the second conductor pattern, and second and third terminals connected to different ends of the at least one loop of the first conductor pattern. A transducer arrangement comprises a transducer body having a front surface and a rear surface, and first and second conductor patterns formed on different ones of the front and rear surfaces. The first conductor pattern comprises at least one loop. The transducer arrangement comprises at least a first terminal connected to the second conductor pattern, and second and third terminals connected to different ends of the at least one spiral loop of the first conductor pattern.

Abstract: A solar cell includes: a passivating layer sequence having a plurality of island-like recesses from which the passivating layers have been completely removed; a thin first metal layer situated on the passivating layer sequence and situated in the recesses on the substrate surface; a thin dielectric cover layer covering the first metal layer which has a first regular arrangement of narrow line-type openings and a second regular arrangement of essentially wider line-type or extended island-type openings, the first and second opening arrangement being aligned at an angle; and a highly conductive second metal layer able to be soldered at the exposed surface in the openings of the first and second opening arrangement and contacts the first metal layer there.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method include a crystalline substrate and an emitter contact portion formed in contact with the substrate. A back-surface-field junction includes a homogeneous junction layer formed in contact with the crystalline substrate and having a same conductivity type and a higher active doping density than that of the substrate. The homogeneous junction layer includes a thickness less than a diffusion length of minority carriers in the homogeneous junction layer. A passivation layer is formed in contact with the homogeneous junction layer opposite the substrate, which is either undoped or has the same conductivity type as that of the substrate.

Abstract: Leakage pathway layers for solar cells and methods of forming leakage pathway layers for solar cells are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell element that comprises: a semiconductor substrate; and a collector electrode including a plurality of conductor portions elongated in a first direction on one main surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the plurality of the conductor portions comprise: a linear first conductor region; and a linear second conductor region including a plated surface, the linear second conductor region being electrically connected to the first conductor region.

Abstract: A fabrication line includes a texturizing module configured to texture a substrate, an emitter module configured to form an emitter region, a passivation layer module configured to form a passivation layer, a barrier contact module configured to form a barrier contact region, a firing module configured to anneal the barrier contact region, a top metal contact module configured to form a top metal contact region, and a soldering module configured to solder the barrier contact region to the top metal contact region. The modules are integrated by one or more automated substrate handlers into a single fabrication line. A method for fabricating a solar cell includes sequentially, in an automated fabrication line: doping a dopant in a substrate; disposing a passivation layer; disposing and annealing a barrier metal paste to form a barrier contact; and disposing and annealing a metal contact paste to form a top metal contact region.

Abstract: In various embodiments, photovoltaic devices incorporate discontinuous passivation layers (i) disposed between a thin-film absorber layer and a partner layer, (ii) disposed between the partner layer and a front contact layer, and/or (iii) disposed between a back contact layer and the thin-film absorber layer.

Abstract: Provided is a solar-cell manufacturing method that is capable of preventing a conductive paste from bleeding and spreading on a photoelectric conversion body. In the provided method of manufacturing a solar cell, a first printing speed at which a first conductive material is printed is faster than a second printing speed at which a second conductive material is printed on the first conductive material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a highly automated method of interconnecting flexible solar cells to form solar modules having a wide variety of sizes and electrical characteristics. The method is fast and economical, providing many attributes of a “pseudo monolithic integration” scheme that has previously been attainable only on rigid substrates.

Abstract: The method for producing a photoelectric converter of the present invention comprises a preparation step for preparing a substrate (2) formed from silicon; a first film-formation step for the formation of a first protective film (3) by deposition of aluminum oxide on a top surface (2B) of the substrate (2) using the atom deposition method or chemical vapor deposition method in an atmosphere containing hydrogen; and a second film-formation step for forming a second protective film (4) by deposition of aluminum oxide on the first protective film (3) using sputtering after the first film-formation step. Moreover, the photoelectric converter of the present invention comprises a substrate formed from silicon; a first protective film formed from aluminum oxide; and a second protective film formed from aluminum oxide, wherein the concentration of hydrogen contained in the first protective film is higher than the concentration of hydrogen contained in the second protective film.

Abstract: A method for forming a thin film solar cell that includes one or more moisture barrier layer made of a water-insoluble material for protection against water and oxygen damage to the top electrode layer material is disclosed.

Abstract: A vertical semiconductor device is formed in a semiconductor layer having a first surface, a second surface and background doping. A first doped region, doped to a conductivity type opposite that of the background, is formed at the second surface of the semiconductor layer. A second doped region of the same conductivity type as the background is formed at the second surface of the semiconductor layer, inside the first doped region. A portion of the semiconductor layer is removed at the first surface, exposing a new third surface. A third doped region is formed inside the semiconductor layer at the third surface. Electrical contact is made at least to the second doped region (via the second surface) and the third doped region (via the new third surface). In this way, vertical DMOS, IGBT, bipolar transistors, thyristors, and other types of devices can be fabricated in thinned semiconductor, or SOI layers.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanometer-scale prominence and depression structure on a zinc oxide thin film in a wet-etching method, and the method includes the steps of: preparing a substrate; forming a nano structure having a height and a width of a nanometer range; forming the zinc oxide thin film on the substrate on which the nano structure is formed; and wet-etching the zinc oxide thin film, in which in the wet-etching step, zinc oxide having relatively low physical compactness is preferentially etched since the zinc oxide is positioned on the nano structure, and thus the prominence and depression structure is formed around the nano structure by the etching. The method is effective in that a thin film can be uniformly formed on the prominence and depression structure, and an electrolyte or an organic material may uniformly penetrate between the prominence and depression structure.

Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion device with high conversion efficiency in which the light loss due to light absorption in a window layer is significantly reduced by using a light-transmitting semiconductor layer comprising an organic compound and an inorganic compound. Specifically, the photoelectric conversion device includes: over one surface of a crystalline silicon substrate, a first silicon semiconductor layer; a light-transmitting semiconductor layer; a second silicon semiconductor layer which is partially formed on the light-transmitting semiconductor layer; and a first electrode. The photoelectric conversion device further includes: a third silicon semiconductor layer on the other surface of the crystalline silicon substrate; a fourth silicon semiconductor layer formed on the third silicon semiconductor layer; and a second electrode formed on the fourth silicon semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A nitride semiconductor structure and a semiconductor light emitting device are revealed. The semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate disposed with a first type doped semiconductor layer and a second type doped semiconductor layer. A light emitting layer is disposed between the first type doped semiconductor layer and the second type doped semiconductor layer. The second type doped semiconductor layer is doped with a second type dopant at a concentration larger than 5×1019 cm?3 while a thickness of the second type doped semiconductor layer is smaller than 30 nm. Thereby the semiconductor light emitting device provides a better light emitting efficiency.

Abstract: In a solar cell, a collecting electrode is provided on a transparent electrode of a photoelectric conversion section having the transparent electrode on the outermost surface on one main surface side. The collecting electrode includes a first electroconductive layer and a second electroconductive layer in this order from the photoelectric conversion section side. Preferably, a self-assembled monolayer is formed on a region on the transparent electrode layer, which is not provided with the first electroconductive layer. A method for manufacturing the solar cell includes: forming a first electroconductive layer on a transparent electrode layer; forming a self-assembled monolayer on a region on the transparent electrode layer, which is not provided with the first electroconductive layer; and bringing the first electroconductive layer and a plating solution into contact with each other to form the second electroconductive layer by a plating method, in this order.

Abstract: A solar cell panel is discussed. The solar cell panel includes a plurality of solar cells each including a substrate, an emitter layer positioned at a light receiving surface of the substrate, and a plurality of front electrodes that are electrically connected to the emitter layer and extend parallel to one another in a first direction, an interconnector that electrically connects adjacent ones of the solar cells to each other and is positioned in a second direction crossing the front electrodes, a conductive adhesive film that is positioned between the front electrodes and the interconnector in the second direction and electrically connects the front electrodes to the interconnector, and an alignment mark indicating a bonding location of the conductive adhesive film, and positioned on the substrate.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer having perovskite material and copper-oxide or other metal-oxide charge transport material. Such charge transport material may be disposed adjacent to the perovskite material such that the two are adjacent and/or in contact. Inclusion of both materials in an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: one or more interfacial layers, one or more mesoporous layers, and one or more dyes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell that can recycle a substrate, and a manufacturing method thereof. The solar cell includes: i) a plurality of nano-structures distanced from each other and extended in one direction; ii) a first conductive layer covering a first end of at least one of the plurality of nano-structures; iii) a second conductive layer distanced from the first conductive layer and covering a second end of the nano-structure; and iv) a dielectric layer disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

Abstract: To provide a paste composition capable of forming a silver electrode having a high bond strength and a low contact resistance, and to provide a solar cell endowed with a high conversion efficiency and excellent reliability, the solar cell including an electrode formed using such a paste composition, a silver electrode-forming paste composition includes a silver powder, a glass component and an organic medium, and the glass component includes tellurium-loaded glass frit which is glass frit having a tellurium compound supported on surfaces thereof. This silver electrode-forming paste composition can be produced by a method which includes the steps of: preparing tellurium-loaded glass frit sintering the mixture in the temperature range of (Tm?35°) C. to (Tm+20°) C.; and dispersing the glass component and the silver powder in an organic medium using the tellurium-loaded glass frit as at least part of the glass component.

Abstract: Fabrication methods and structures are provided for the formation of monolithically isled back contact back junction solar cells. In one embodiment, base and emitter contact metallization is formed on the backside of a back contact back junction solar cell substrate. A trench stop layer is formed on the backside of a back contact back junction solar cell substrate and is electrically isolated from the base and emitter contact metallization. The trench stop layer has a pattern for forming a plurality semiconductor regions. An electrically insulating layer is formed on the base and emitter contact metallization and the trench stop layer. A trench isolation pattern is formed through the back contact back junction solar cell substrate to the trench stop layer which partitions the semiconductor layer into a plurality of solar cell semiconductor regions on the electrically insulating layer.

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.

Abstract: A display panel includes a first substrate on which an electrode line and a switching element are disposed, a second substrate positioned opposite the first substrate, a seal provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, a pad electrode that vertically overlaps the seal and is electrically connected to the electrode line, and a side electrode which is connected to one end of the pad electrode and includes a portion positioned on an exterior facing side of the seal.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell element is disclosed. The method includes two different etching processes followed by forming a semiconductor layer. A semiconductor substrate having a first conductor type is etched by using a first acid aqueous solution containing hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid. Then, the semiconductor substrate is etched by using a second acid aqueous solution containing hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid with substantially no sulfuric acid to make an uneven surface. A semiconductor layer of second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type is formed on at least a part of the uneven surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Some photovoltaic cells have a front face accepting incoming incident light and opaque gridlines overlying part of the front face, electrically bonded to the face, with upper reflective facets oblique to the plane of the front face and producing outgoing reflected light. An optical interface parallel to and in front of the front face transmits incoming light to the front face and to the gridlines and reflects back towards the front face by total internal reflection at least some of the outgoing reflected light. Some photovoltaic devices have a triple junction photovoltaic cell, a single junction photovoltaic cell, and a reflective surface arranged to distribute incoming light between the cells. The surface may be a frequency-selective mirror that apportions light so when the cells are in series the power produced, and preferably the photocurrent, is greater than if all the light fell on the triple junction cell alone.

Abstract: Methods for preparing an exposed surface of a p-type absorber layer of a p-n junction for coupling to a back contact in the manufacture of a thin film photovoltaic device are provided. The method can include: applying a treatment solution onto the exposed surface defined by the p-type absorber layer of cadmium telluride; and annealing the device with the p-type absorber layer in contact with the treatment solution to form a tellurium-enriched region in the p-type absorber layer at the exposed surface. The treatment solution comprises a chlorinated compound component that is substantially free from copper, a copper-containing metal salt, and a solvent.

Abstract: A thin-film solar battery is constructed such that it includes a translucent insulating substrate, a first transparent conductive film formed of a crystalline transparent conductive film on the translucent insulating substrate, with an uneven structure on a surface thereof, a second transparent conductive film formed of a transparent conductive film on the first transparent conductive film, with an uneven structure on a surface thereof, where the uneven structure is more gentle than the uneven structure of the first transparent conductive film, a power generation layer formed on the second transparent conductive film and having at least one crystalline layer to generate power, and a backside electrode layer formed of a light-reflective conductive film on the power generation layer. A substantially convex hollow portion projecting from the translucent insulating substrate is provided between adjacent convex portions in the uneven structure of the first transparent conductive film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solar cell module that includes: a plurality of solar cells; wiring material electrically connecting solar cells with each other; and resin adhesive that bonds solar cells and wiring material together. Solar cells each include photoelectric conversion body and electrode. Electrode includes finger electrode. Finger electrode extends in direction y orthogonal to direction x in which wiring material extends. In bonding area of finger electrode bonded to wiring material, an end portion on one side in direction y in which finger electrode extends is bonded to wiring material with lower bonding strength than at least part of the other portion of bonding area.

Abstract: Electrically conductive thin film metallizations having continuous operating temperatures of 300° C. and more are of considerable practical interest for a number of technical applications, such as surface wave elements. Technical reasons and high production costs are a bar to the use of standard films. In order to remedy this, films including a mixture of a high-melting conductive metal and aluminum oxides, wherein in particular aluminum-rich non-stoichiometric aluminum oxides are used. The aluminum oxides act as components thermally stabilizing the conductive metal film; an optional proportion of chemically available aluminum can additionally alloy with the conductive metal and thereby enables essential film properties, such as the electrical conductivity to be specifically influenced.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for flexible, ultra-thin, and high efficiency pixelated silicon or other semiconductor photovoltaic solar cell array fabrication is disclosed. A structure and method of creation for a pixelated silicon or other semiconductor photovoltaic solar cell array with interconnects is described using a manufacturing method that is simplified compared to previous versions of pixelated silicon photovoltaic cells that require more microfabrication steps.

Abstract: Conductive films with transparency characteristics are provided. In accordance with various example embodiments, a transparent conductive film includes an inorganic nanowire mesh embedded in an organic substrate layer. The embedding may involve, for example, embedding a majority of, or substantially all of the nanowire mesh in the organic substrate layer to facilitate a resulting surface roughness of the combined nanowire mesh-polymer that is less than a surface roughness of the mesh alone (e.g., or otherwise embedded), and in turn facilitates desirable conductivity characteristics.