Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Photoelectric – Cells
Patent
1991-05-03
1993-06-01
Weisstuch, Aaron
Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
Photoelectric
Cells
257431, H01L 3106
Patent
active
052155994
ABSTRACT:
An advanced solar cell having an improved efficiency over known conventional solar cells uses an external electric field to enhance the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. The advanced solar cell has a layered extrinsic semiconductor with a lightly doped base layer sandwiched between two oppositely and heavily doped layers to form a P-N junction within the semiconductor. The base layer has opposing incident and collection surfaces, at least one of which has recessed contact regions interspersed between biasing regions. At least one of the heavily doped layers is substantially confined within the recessed contact regions. Overlaying the biasing region is an enhancement layer, such as a layered MOS structure. Biasing the enhancement layer provides an externally generated electric field to the semiconductor which enhances a depletion region formed around the P-N junction when photon radiation impinges on the semiconductor. A transparent layer of a conductive material may overlay one of the heavily doped layers or comprise a portion of the MOS structure. A method is also provided of converting solar energy into electrical energy.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3928073 (1975-12-01), Besson et al.
patent: 4628144 (1986-12-01), Burger
patent: 4694115 (1987-09-01), Lillington et al.
patent: 4695935 (1987-09-01), Oen et al.
patent: 4703553 (1987-11-01), Mardesich
patent: 4758525 (1988-07-01), Kida et al.
patent: 4773945 (1988-09-01), Woolk et al.
patent: 4774193 (1988-09-01), Juergens
patent: 4792749 (1988-12-01), Kitagawa et al.
patent: 4804866 (1989-02-01), Akiyama
patent: 4828628 (1989-05-01), Hezel et al.
patent: 4836861 (1989-06-01), Peltzer et al.
patent: 4873202 (1989-10-01), Akiyama
patent: 4900369 (1990-02-01), Hezel et al.
Hingorani Narain G.
Mehta Harshad
Electric Power Research Institute
Weisstuch Aaron
LandOfFree
Advanced solar cell does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Advanced solar cell, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Advanced solar cell will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1811818