Specific Surface Topography (e.g., Textured Surface, Etc.) Patents (Class 438/71)
  • Publication number: 20120225517
    Abstract: Etched substrates, and particularly, light-absorbing etched substrates, and methods for making such substrates are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Jun-Ying Zhang, Terry L. Smith, Bing Hao
  • Patent number: 8257998
    Abstract: Semiconductor photovoltaic cells have surfaces that are textured for processing and photovoltaic reasons. The absorbing regions may have parallel grooves that reduce loss of solar energy that would otherwise be lost by reflection. One form of texturing has parallel grooves and ridges. The cell also includes regions of metallization for collecting the generated electrical carriers and conducting them away, which may be channels. The topography is considered during production, using a process that takes advantage of the topography to govern what locations upon will receive a specific processing, and which locations will not receive such a processing. Liquids are treated directly into zones of the cell. They migrate throughout a zone and act upon the locations contacted. They do not migrate to other zones, due to impediments to fluid flow that are features of the surface texture, such as edges, walls and ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Emanuel M. Sachs, James F. Bredt
  • Patent number: 8258397
    Abstract: Imperfect filling sometimes occurs when a conductive material is filled into a through-hole formed on a solar cell. A method of manufacturing a solar cell of the invention employs a support wherein a conductive material is filled into a through-hole. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress occurrence of imperfect filling and thereby provide a method of manufacturing a solar cell with enhanced reliability. Moreover, a flat surface is provided on a solar cell of the present invention when a connector electrode is formed on a through-hole and this enables enhanced connection reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyozo Nishida, Natsuyo Sasada
  • Patent number: 8257997
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes forming a pit in a top surface of a substrate by removing a portion of the substrate and growing a semiconductor material with a bottom surface on the pit, the semiconductor material different than the material of the substrate. The pit has a base recessed in the top surface of the substrate. In another aspect, a structure includes a substrate having a top surface, the substrate including at least one pit having a base lower than the top surface of the substrate, and a semiconductor material having a bottom surface formed on the base of the pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sifotonics Technologies (USA) Inc.
    Inventors: Liang Chen, Chingyin Hong, Fuwan Gan, Dong Pan
  • Publication number: 20120214270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of solar cells comprising a selective emitter using an improved etching-paste composition which has significantly improved selectivity for silicon layers
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Merck Patent Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Werner Stockum, Oliver Doll, Ingo Koehler
  • Publication number: 20120208313
    Abstract: Methods for forming aggregates of nanomaterials are provided. The aggregates are formed from a liquid dispersion of the nanomaterials in a liquid. The dispersion is aerosolized and the liquid removed from the aerosolized dispersion to provide the aggregates. The aggregates are useful as a photoelectric layer and/or a light-dispersive layer in dye-sensitized solar cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
    Inventors: Guozhong Cao, Qifeng Zhang, Junting Xi
  • Publication number: 20120205541
    Abstract: A plasmonic detector is described which can resonantly enhance the performance of infrared detectors. More specifically, the disclosure is directed to enhancing the quantum efficiency of semiconductor infrared detectors by increasing coupling to the incident radiation field as a result of resonant coupling to surface plasma waves supported by the metal/semiconductor interface, without impacting the dark current of the device, resulting in an improved detectivity over the surface plasma wave spectral bandwidth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Seung-Chang Lee, Sanjay Krishna, Steven Brueck
  • Publication number: 20120204948
    Abstract: A method (100; 100a; 100b; 100c) for manufacturing a solar cell from a semiconductor substrate (1) of a first conductivity type, the semiconductor substrate having a front surface (2) and a back surface (3). The method includes in a sequence: texturing (102) the front surface to create a textured front surface (2a); creating (103) by diffusion of a dopant of the first conductivity type a first conductivity-type doped layer (2c) in the textured front surface and a back surface field layer (4) of the first conductivity type in the back surface; removing (105; 104a) the first conductivity-type doped layer from the textured front surface by an etching process adapted for retaining texture of the textured front surface; creating (106) a layer of a second conductivity type (6) on the textured front surface by diffusion of a dopant of the second conductivity type into the textured front surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Cornelis Barton, Ronald Cornelis Gerard Naber, Arno Ferdinand Stassen
  • Publication number: 20120196397
    Abstract: Embodiments of the current invention describe methods of forming different types of crystalline silicon based solar cells that can be combinatorially varied and evaluated. Examples of these different types of solar cells include front and back contact silicon based solar cells, all-back contact solar cells and selective emitter solar cells. These methodologies all incorporate the formation of site-isolated regions using a combinatorial processing tool and the use of these site-isolated regions to form the solar cell area. Therefore, multiple solar cells may be rapidly formed on a single crystalline silicon substrate for use in combinatorial methodologies. Any of the individual processes of the methods described may be varied combinatorially to test varied process conditions or materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Li, Minh Anh Nguyen, Nikhil Kalyankar, Nitin Kumar, Craig Hunter
  • Patent number: 8232132
    Abstract: An image sensor pixel includes a photo-sensor region, a microlens, a first color filter layer, and a second color filter layer. The photo-sensor region is disposed within a semiconductor die. The microlens is disposed on the semiconductor die in optical alignment with the photo-sensor region. The first color filter layer is disposed between the photo-sensor region and the microlens. The second color filter layer is disposed on an opposite side of the microlens as the first color filter layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Satyadev Nagaraja, Vincent Venezia
  • Publication number: 20120186645
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell including a first electrode, a negative photoelectrode on the first electrode, a light scattering layer on a surface of the negative photoelectrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode with the negative photoelectrode and the light scattering layer therebetween, and an electrolyte between the first electrode and the second electrode. The light scattering layer includes a titanium dioxide nano wire and a titanium dioxide nano particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Byong-Cheol Shin, Ji-Won Lee, Chang-Wook Kim, Do-Young Park
  • Publication number: 20120187336
    Abstract: Method of using improved compositions for conditioning silicon surfaces during the manufacture of photovoltaic devices. Used for removing particles, organic contamination, and unwanted metals from these surfaces. Also used for removing a thin layer of silicon as required for damage removal or texturing. These conditioning and surface preparation compositions comprise one or more water soluble strongly basic components capable of producing a pH greater than 10, one or more water soluble organic amines, one or more chelating agents, and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: SURFACE CHEMISTRY DISCOVERIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shahriar Naghshineh, Ewa Oldak, George Schwartzkopf
  • Publication number: 20120186625
    Abstract: Provided are a solar cell apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same. The solar cell apparatus includes a substrate, a first cell disposed on the substrate, and a second cell disposed on the substrate, the second cell being adjacent to the first cell. The first cell includes a plurality of first active areas and a plurality of first transmitting areas which are alternately disposed with respect to each other. The second cell includes a plurality of second active areas and a plurality of second transmitting areas which are alternately disposed with respect to each other. The first active areas are adjacent to the second transmitting areas, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO,, LTD
    Inventor: Suk Jae Jee
  • Patent number: 8227292
    Abstract: A process for the production of a MWT silicon solar cell comprising the steps: (1) providing a p-type silicon wafer with (i) holes forming vias between the front-side and the back-side of the wafer and (ii) an n-type emitter extending over the entire front-side and the inside of the holes, (2) applying a conductive metal paste to the holes of the silicon wafer to provide at least the inside of the holes with a metallization, (3) drying the applied conductive metal paste, and (4) firing the dried conductive metal paste, whereby the wafer reaches a peak temperature of 700 to 900° C., wherein the conductive metal paste has no or only poor fire-through capability and comprises (a) at least one particulate electrically conductive metal selected from the group consisting of silver, copper and nickel and (b) an organic vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Warren Hang, Giovanna Laudisio, Alistair Graeme Prince, Richard John Sheffield Young
  • Publication number: 20120181667
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell from a semiconductor substrate (1) of a first conductivity type, the semiconductor substrate having a front surface (2) and a back surface (3). The method includes in a sequence: texturing (102) the front surface to create a textured front surface (2a); creating (103) by diffusion of a dopant of the first conductivity type a first conductivity-type doped layer (2c) in the textured front surface and a back surface field layer (4) of the first conductivity type in the back surface; removing (105; 104a) the first conductivity-type doped layer from the textured front surface by an etching process adapted for retaining texture of the textured front surface; creating (106) a layer of a second conductivity type (6) on the textured front surface by diffusion of a dopant of the second conductivity type into the textured front surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: STICHTING ENERGIEONDERZOEK CENTRUM NEDERLAND
    Inventors: Lambert Johan Geerligs, Gaofei Li, Paul Cornelis Barton, Ronald Cornelis Gerard Naber, Arno Ferdinand Stassen, Zhiyan Hu
  • Publication number: 20120180860
    Abstract: A solar cell and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The method for manufacturing the solar cell includes forming an emitter region of a second conductive type opposite a first conductive type at a first surface of a substrate of the first conductive type by using an ion implantation method, forming a passivation layer on a second surface positioned opposite the first surface of the substrate, and forming a first electrode, which is positioned on the first surface of the substrate and is connected to the emitter region, and a second electrode, which is positioned on the second surface of the substrate and is selectively connected to the substrate through the passivation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Jihoon Ko, Jinho Kim, Junyong Ahn, Daeyong Lee
  • Publication number: 20120184062
    Abstract: The composition for forming an n-type diffusion layer in accordance with the present invention contains a donor element-containing glass powder and a dispersion medium. An n-type diffusion layer and a photovoltaic cell having an n-type diffusion layer are prepared by applying the composition for forming an n-type diffusion layer, followed by a thermal diffusion treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: YOUICHI MACHII, Masato Yoshida, Takeshi Nojiri, Kaoru Okaniwa, Mitsunori Iwamuro, Shuuichirou Adachi, Takuya Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 8222157
    Abstract: A device for inductively confining capacitively coupled RF plasma formed in a plasma processing apparatus. The apparatus includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode that is adapted to support a substrate and to generate the plasma between the substrate and the upper electrode. The device includes a dielectric support ring that concentrically surrounds the upper electrode and a plurality of coil units mounted on the dielectric support ring. Each coil unit includes a ferromagnetic core positioned along a radial direction of the dielectric support ring and at least one coil wound around each ferromagnetic core. The coil units generate, upon receiving RF power from an RF power source, electric and magnetic fields that reduce the number of charged particles of the plasma diffusing away from the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Alexei Marakhtanov, Rajinder Dhindsa, Eric Hudson, Andreas Fischer
  • Publication number: 20120178204
    Abstract: A method (300) for etching a silicon surface (116) to reduce reflectivity. The method (300) includes electroless deposition of copper nanoparticles about 20 nanometers in size on the silicon surface (116), with a particle-to-particle spacing of 3 to 8 nanometers. The method (300) includes positioning (310) the substrate (112) with a silicon surface (116) into a vessel (122). The vessel (122) is filled (340) with a volume of an etching solution (124) so as to cover the silicon surface (116). The etching solution (124) includes an oxidant-etchant solution (146), e.g., an aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The silicon surface (116) is etched (350) by agitating the etching solution (124) with, for example, ultrasonic agitation, and the etching may include heating (360) the etching solution (124) and directing light (365) onto the silicon surface (116). During the etching, copper nanoparticles enhance or drive the etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Fatima Toor, Howard Branz
  • Publication number: 20120178203
    Abstract: Various laser processing schemes are disclosed for producing various types of hetero junction and homo-junction solar cells. The methods include base and emitter contact opening, selective doping, metal ablation, annealing to improve passivation, and selective emitter doping via laser heating of aluminum. Also, laser processing schemes are disclosed that are suitable for selective amorphous silicon ablation and selective doping for hetero junction solar cells. Laser ablation techniques are disclosed that leave the underlying silicon substantially undamaged. These laser processing techniques may be applied to semiconductor substrates, including crystalline silicon substrates, and further including crystalline silicon substrates which are manufactured either through wire saw wafering methods or via epitaxial deposition processes, or other cleavage techniques such as ion implantation and heating, that are either planar or textured/three-dimensional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SOLEXEL, INC.
    Inventors: Mehrdad M. Moslehi, Virendra V. Rana, Pranav Anbalagan
  • Patent number: 8216872
    Abstract: A light-trapping layer is integrated into a thin-film solar cell. It is integrated as a light-inlet layer, an intermediate layer or a shaded layer with nano-particles embedded in a transparent or non-transparent conductive film. Thus, light stays longer in an absorption layer with photocurrent increased; defects of interface between the absorption layer and the nano-material are decreased; anti-reflective effect to inlet light is enhanced; and a good integrity and a good reliability for long-time light-shining are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: National Applied Research Laboratories
    Inventors: Jia-Min Shieh, Chang-Hong Shen, Wen-Hsien Huang, Shih-Chuan Wu, Bau-Tong Dai, Jung Y. Huang, Hao-Chung Kuo
  • Publication number: 20120167956
    Abstract: Disclosed are configurations of long-range ordered features of solar cell materials, and methods for forming same. Some features include electrical access openings through a backing layer to a photovoltaic material in the solar cell. Some features include textured features disposed adjacent a surface of a solar cell material. Typically the long-range ordered features are formed by ablating the solar cell material with a laser interference pattern from at least two laser beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: BABCOCK & WILCOX TECHNICAL SERVICES Y-12, LLC
    Inventors: Claus Daniel, Craig A. Blue, Ronald D. Ott
  • Publication number: 20120171804
    Abstract: Various laser processing schemes are disclosed for producing various types of hetero junction and homo-junction solar cells. The methods include base and emitter contact opening, selective doping, metal ablation, annealing to improve passivation, and selective emitter doping via laser heating of aluminum. Also, laser processing schemes are disclosed that are suitable for selective amorphous silicon ablation and selective doping for hetero junction solar cells. Laser ablation techniques are disclosed that leave the underlying silicon substantially undamaged. These laser processing techniques may be applied to semiconductor substrates, including crystalline silicon substrates, and further including crystalline silicon substrates which are manufactured either through wire saw wafering methods or via epitaxial deposition processes, or other cleavage techniques such as ion implantation and heating, that are either planar or textured/three-dimensional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SOLEXEL, INC.
    Inventors: Mehrdad M. Moslehi, Virendra V. Rana, Pranav Anbalagan, Vivek Saraswat
  • Publication number: 20120167974
    Abstract: A solar cell and method of manufacturing the same includes a semiconductor substrate having a textured surface and including a plurality of recess portions and a plurality of flat portions, an emitter layer in the plurality of recess portions, a first doping region in at least one of the plurality of flat portions, and doped with a first conductive type impurity selected from one of p-type and n-type impurities, a second doping region in at least one of the plurality of flat portions, and doped with a second conductive type impurity selected from one of p-type and n-type impurities that differs from the first conductive type impurity, and first and second electrodes electrically connected to the first and second doping regions, respectively. The distance between the emitter layer and the first doping region is different from the distance between the emitter layer and the second doping region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ihn Gee Baik, Yun Gi Kim, Jin Wook Lee, Jin-Soo Mun
  • Publication number: 20120167975
    Abstract: A solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate having a texturized surface, the semiconductor substrate including a plurality of recess portions and a plurality of flat portions, an insulation layer on the texturized surface of the semiconductor substrate and an electrode on the plurality of flat portions of the semiconductor substrate. The insulation layer on the plurality of recess portions of the semiconductor substrate is thinner than the insulation layer on the plurality of flat portions of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-Soo Mun, Yun Gi Kim, Ihn Gee Baik, Jin Wook Lee
  • Publication number: 20120167971
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to a front electrode for solar cell devices (e.g., amorphous silicon or a-Si solar cell devices), and/or methods of making the same. Advantageously, certain example embodiments include a front contact including a transparent conductive oxide layer of aluminum-doped zinc oxide. In certain example embodiments, the AZO-based layer is ion beam treated post-deposition in order to increase its surface energy and/or decrease its contact layer so as to make the layer less hydrophobic. In certain example embodiments, after ion beam treatment, a weak acid may be used to texture the layer of AZO. The reduced contact angle of the layer of AZO may improve its ability to be textured. A semiconductor may be provided over the textured layer of AZO. In certain example embodiments, the textured, ion beam-treated AZO may result in an improved front contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Alexey Krasnov, Maximo Frati
  • Publication number: 20120167970
    Abstract: A method to manufacture a thin film photovoltaic device is provided. The method involves mastering of sub-micron features onto a first master substrate, followed by duplication of the master surface onto one or multiple stampers, and replication of the micro-texture into the superstrate or substrate surface by using the multiple stampers. The method also discloses depositing a TCO layer on the superstrate or substrate surface having the sub-micron features, such that a side of the TCO layer distant from the superstrate or substrate surface having the sub-micron features. Thereafter, the method includes depositing the one or more semiconductor layers, the back contact layer and the cover substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Hermanus Johannes Borg, Patrick Godefridus Jacobus Maria Peeters
  • Patent number: 8212250
    Abstract: The absorption coefficient of silicon for infrared light is very low and most solar cells absorb very little of the infrared light energy in sunlight. Very thick cells of crystalline silicon can be used to increase the absorption of infrared light energy but the cost of thick crystalline cells is prohibitive. The present invention relates to the use of less expensive microcrystalline silicon solar cells and the use of backside texturing with diffusive scattering to give a very large increase in the absorption of infrared light. Backside texturing comprises a plurality of cusped features providing diffusive scattering. Constructing the solar cell with a smooth front surface results in multiple internal reflections, light trapping, and a large enhancement of the absorption of infrared solar energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Leonard Forbes
  • Publication number: 20120160320
    Abstract: An aqueous acidic etching solution suitable for texturing the surface of single crystal and polycrystal silicon substrates and containing, based on the complete weight of the solution, 3 to 10% by weight of hydrofluoric acid; 10 to 35% by weight of nitric acid; 5 to 40% by weight of sulfuric acid; and 55 to 82% by weight of water; a method for texturing the surface of single crystal and polycrystal silicon substrates comprising the step of (1) contacting at least one major surface of a substrate with the said aqueous acidic etching solution; (2) etching the at least one major surface of the substrate for a time and at a temperature sufficient to obtain a surface texture consisting of recesses and protrusions; and (3) removing the at least one major surface of the substrate from the contact with the aqueous acidic etching solution; and a method for manufacturing photovoltaic cells and solar cells using the said solution and the said texturing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicants: GP SOLAR GmbH, BASF SE
    Inventors: Simon Braun, Julian Proelss, Ihor Melnyk, Michael Michel, Stefan Mathijssen
  • Publication number: 20120164780
    Abstract: A method is described for making a partially transparent thin film solar panel based on transparent glass or plastic substrates by creating an array of small light transmitting apertures through all the opaque layers by using an ink jet print head to apply droplets of an etching fluid to the top electrode layer to form apertures in the electrode layer. These apertures may then be used as a contact mask for etching holes though the underlying active layer (if this is opaque). In this second stage, the etchant may be applied using an ink jet print head or by spraying or the panel may be immersed in the etchant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Adam North Brunton
  • Publication number: 20120164779
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a differential doped solar cell is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing a light doped semiconductor substrate; (b) forming a heavy doped layer having the same type of dopant used in step (a) on a front surface of the semiconductor substrate; and (c) forming an emitter layer having a different type of dopant used in step (a) on a surface of the heavy doped layer to constitute a p-n junction with the heavy doped layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Chi-Hsiung CHANG, Kuan-Lun Chang, Hung-Yi Chang, Yi-Min Pan, Jun-Min Wu, Ying-Yen Chiu
  • Publication number: 20120153420
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical structure formed in an upper side of a semiconductor photomultiplier having a plurality of microcells. The optical structure includes: a first dielectric body formed in an upper side of a dead area between light receiving areas of the respective microcells and having a cross-sectional structure in which a lower side is wider than an upper side; and a second dielectric body formed in the upper side of the light receiving area of each microcell and having a cross-sectional structure in which a lower side is narrower than an upper side, and a refractive index of the second dielectric body is higher than that of the first dielectric body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Joon Sung LEE, Yong Sun Yoon
  • Patent number: 8202755
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a photodiode module including a structure configured to selectively couple light to a dielectric-surface mode of a photonic crystal of the photodiode module. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photodiode module includes a semiconductor structure having a p-region and an n-region. The photodiode module further includes a photonic crystal having a surface positioned adjacent to the semiconductor structure. A diffraction grating of the photodiode module may be positioned and configured to selectively couple light incident on the diffraction grating to a dielectric-surface mode associated with the surface of the photonic crystal. In another embodiment of the present invention, a photodiode apparatus includes multiple, stacked photodiode modules, each of which is configured to selectively absorb light at a selected wavelength or range of wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Fattal, Jason Blackstock, Duncan Stewart
  • Publication number: 20120149144
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell is presented. The method includes: forming an amorphous silicon layer on a first surface of a light absorbing layer; doping the amorphous silicon layer with a dopant; forming a dopant layer by diffusing the dopant into the amorphous silicon layer with a laser; forming a semiconductor layer by removing the dopant that remains outside the dopant layer; etching the surface of the semiconductor layer by using an etchant; forming a first electrode on the semiconductor layer; and forming a second electrode on a second surface of the light absorbing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Myung-Su KIM, Min-Chul Song, Soon-Young Park, Dong-Seop Kim, Sung Chan Park, Yoon-Mook Kang, Tae-Jun Kim, Min-Ki Shin, Sang-Won Lee, Heung-Kyoon Lim
  • Publication number: 20120146172
    Abstract: High speed optoelectronic devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a high speed optoelectronic device can include a silicon material having an incident light surface, a first doped region and a second doped region forming a semiconductive junction in the silicon material, and a textured region coupled to the silicon material and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation. The optoelectronic device has a response time of from about 1 picosecond to about 5 nanoseconds and a responsivity of greater than or equal to about 0.4 A/W for electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength from about 800 nm to about 1200 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: SiOnyx, Inc.
    Inventors: James Carey, Drake Miller
  • Publication number: 20120138135
    Abstract: Methods of forming contacts for back-contact solar cells are described. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a thin dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a polysilicon layer on the thin dielectric layer, forming and patterning a solid-state p-type dopant source on the polysilicon layer, forming an n-type dopant source layer over exposed regions of the polysilicon layer and over a plurality of regions of the solid-state p-type dopant source, and heating the substrate to provide a plurality of n-type doped polysilicon regions among a plurality of p-type doped polysilicon regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Jane Manning
  • Publication number: 20120132270
    Abstract: A solar cell has a metal contact formed to electrically contact a surface of semiconductor material forming a photo-voltaic junction. The solar cell includes a surface region or regions of heavily doped material and the contact comprises a contact metallisation formed over the heavily doped regions to make contact thereto. Surface keying features are located in the semiconductor material into which the metallisation extends to assist in attachment of the metallisation to the semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Alison Maree Wenham, Martin Andrew Green, Stuart Ross Wenham
  • Publication number: 20120132275
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a photoelectrode formed by using a stainless steel plate and a counter electrode formed by using a light-transmissive electroconductive material, wherein the photoelectrode comprises, as the substrate thereof, a stainless steel plate having a chemical composition containing Cr: at least 16% by mass and Mo: at least 0.3% by mass and having a roughened surface in which pit-like indentations are formed and which is controlled to have an arithmetic average roughness Ra of at least 0.2 ?m, and comprises, as formed on the roughened surface of the substrate, a sensitizing dye-carrying semiconductor layer, the counter electrode has a catalyst thin-film layer formed on the surface of the light-transmissive electroconductive material and has visible light tansmissiveness, and the semiconductor layer of the photoelectrode and the catalyst thin-film layer of the counter electrode face each other via an electrolytic solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Nisshin Steel Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshikatu Nishida, Takahiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 8188560
    Abstract: An optical color sensor system is provided including providing a substrate having an optical sensor therein and forming a passivation layer over the substrate. The passivation layer is planarized and color filters are formed over the passivation layer. A planar transparent layer is formed over the color filters and microlenses are formed on the planar transparent layer over the color filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Guy Eristoff, Kian Siong Ang, Sung Woon Choo, Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 8187979
    Abstract: Methods to texture or fabricate workpieces are disclosed. The workpiece may be, for example, a solar cell. This texturing may involve etching or localized sputtering using a plasma where a shape of a boundary between the plasma and the plasma sheath is modified with an insulating modifier. The workpiece may be rotated in between etching or sputtering steps to form pyramids. Regions of the workpiece also may be etched or sputtered with ions formed from a plasma adjusted by an insulating modifier and doped. A metal layer may be formed on these doped regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak A. Ramappa, Ludovic Godet
  • Patent number: 8183081
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a high efficiency solar cell using a novel processing sequence to form a solar cell device. In one embodiment, the methods include forming one or more layers on a backside of a solar cell substrate prior to the texturing process to prevent attack of the backside surface of the substrate. In one embodiment, the one or more layers are a metalized backside contact structure that is formed on the backside of the solar cell substrate. In another embodiment, the one or more layers are a chemical resistant dielectric layer that is formed over the backside of the solar cell substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Weidman, Rohit Mishra, Michael P. Stewart, Yonghwa Chris Cha, Kapila P. Wijekoon, Hongbin Fang
  • Publication number: 20120118365
    Abstract: A thin film solar cell includes a substrate, a light scattering layer on the substrate, a first electrode layer on the light scattering layer, a plurality of light absorption layers on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer on the plurality of light absorption layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Aleksandr BESSONOV, Young-Tae Cho, Seung-Jae Jung, Eun-Ah Park, Eun-Soo Hwang
  • Publication number: 20120122266
    Abstract: A porous lift off layer facilitates removal of films from surfaces, such as semiconductors. A film is applied over a patterned porous layer, the layer comprising openings typically larger than the film thickness. The porous material and the film are then removed from areas where film is not intended. The porous layer can be provided as a slurry, dried to open porosities, or fugitive particles within a field, which disassociate upon the application of heat or solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: 1366 TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Emanuel M. Sachs, Andrew M. Gabor
  • Patent number: 8178384
    Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus, a method for making the apparatus, and the use of the apparatus in an optoelectronic device are disclosed. The apparatus may include an active layer having a nanostructured network layer with a network of regularly spaced structures with spaces between neighboring structures. One or more network-filling materials are disposed in the spaces. At least one of the network-filling materials has complementary charge transfer properties with respect to the nanostructured network layer. An interfacial layer, configured to enhance an efficiency of the active layer, is disposed between the nanostructured network layer and the network-filling materials. The interfacial layer may be configured to provide (a) charge transfer between the two materials that exhibits different rates for forward versus backward transport; (b) differential light absorption to extend a range of wavelengths that the active layer can absorb; or (c) enhanced light absorption, which may be coupled with charge injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Nanosolar, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin R. Roscheisen, Brian M. Sager, Klaus Petritsch, Jacqueline Fidanza
  • Publication number: 20120111396
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor material and doping at least a portion of the semiconductor material to form at least one doped region. A portion of the semiconductor material is removed with a pulsed laser from at least one first region to form at least one adjacent second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: SiOnyx, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Saylor, Jason Sickler, James Carey, Christopher Vineis, Xia Li
  • Publication number: 20120107996
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods of a surface treatment process performing on a transparent conductive oxide layer used in solar cell devices. In one embodiment, a method of performing a surface treatment process includes providing a substrate having a transparent conductive oxide layer disposed thereon in a processing chamber, supplying a gas mixture including an oxygen containing gas into the processing chamber, and performing a surface treatment process using the gas mixture on the surface of the transparent conductive oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Shuran Sheng, Lin Zhang, Zheng Yuan, Yong Kee Chae
  • Publication number: 20120104411
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a III-nitride semiconductor film, comprising depositing or growing a III-nitride semiconductor film in a semiconductor light absorbing or light emitting device structure; and growing a textured or structured surface of the III-nitride nitride semiconductor film in situ with the growing or the deposition of the III-nitride semiconductor film, by controlling the growing of the III-nitride semiconductor film to obtain a texture of the textured surface, or one or more structures of the structured surface, that increase output power of light from the light emitting device, or increase absorption of light in the light absorbing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Michael Iza, Carl J. Neufeld, Samantha C. Cruz, Robert M. Farrell, James S. Speck, Shuji Nakamura, Steven P. DenBaars, Umesh K. Mishra
  • Publication number: 20120097209
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of texturing silicon surfaces suited for antireflection based on ion implantation of hydrogen and heavy ions or heavy elements combined with thermal annealing or thermal annealing and oxidation. The addition of the heavy ions or heavy elements allows for a more effective anti-reflective surface than is found when only hydrogen implantation is utilized. The methods used are also time- and cost-effective, as they can utilize already existing semiconductor ion implantation fabrication equipment and reduce the number of necessary steps. The antireflective surfaces are useful for silicon-based solar cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventors: Mengbing HUANG, Nirag KADAKIA, Sebastian NACZAS, Hassaram BAKHRU
  • Publication number: 20120097244
    Abstract: Provided is a hetero-junction solar cell with a silicon crystalline substrate of small thickness but exhibiting less warpage, and having a high photoelectric conversion efficiency. The crystalline silicon substrate has a thickness of 50 ?m to 200 ?m, and has a rough structure on the light-incident-side surface thereof. The surface of the transparent conductive layer in the light incidence side has an irregular structure. The top-bottom distance in the irregular structure of the transparent conductive layer in the light-incidence-side is preferably smaller than the top-bottom distance in the rough structure of the crystalline silicon substrate in the-light-incidence side. The distance between tops of the projections in the irregular structure on the surface of the transparent conductive layer in the light incidence side is preferably smaller than the distance between tops of the projections in the rough structure on the surface of the crystalline silicon substrate in the light incidence side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Adachi, Kunta Yoshikawa, Kenji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20120097239
    Abstract: To include a first step of forming a protection film on a surface of a translucent substrate, a second step of exposing the surface of the translucent substrate by forming a plurality of openings arranged regularly at a certain pitch in the protection film, a third step of forming parabolic irregularities including substantially hemispherical depressions arranged substantially uniformly on the surface of the translucent substrate by performing isotropic etching by using the protection film having the openings formed as a mask and under conditions in which the protection film has resistance to the surface of the translucent substrate on which the protection film is formed, and a fourth step of removing the protection film, wherein at the fourth step, the isotropic etching is continued after formation of the parabolic irregularities to separate the protection film from the translucent substrate and round apexes of protruded portions in the parabolic irregularities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiko Sato, Kunihiko Nishimura, Daisuke Niinobe, Shuichi Hiza, Shigeru Matsuno