US3811954A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fine geometry solar cell
Assignee: Comsat Corp
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Filing: 1971-09-28
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1991-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A fine geometry solar cell having a top surface contact comprising substantially more and finer metallic fingers spaced close together for collecting photocurrent. Junction depth and/or impurity concentration may be reduced significantly. The method for making the fine geometry solar cell, comprises in ordered steps, the processes of diffusion, oxidation, photolithography, metallization and plating.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lindmayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:29
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; H10F77/215; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
14 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 1 wherein said semiconductor material is silicon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 2 wherein said p-n junction is at a depth of approximately 1,500 A and divides said semiconductor material into a top surface layer and a bottom layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 2 wherein said thin metallic fingers are separated by distances of approximately 0.03 centimeters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 2 wherein said p-n junction divides said semiconductor material into a top n-type layer and a bottom p-type layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 2 wherein said material between said top surface and said p-n junction has an impurity concentration of about 1019 - 1020 impurity atoms/cm3.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 2 wherein said thin metallic fingers are spread substantially evenly over the surface of said solar cell at a density in one dimension of approximately 30 metallic fingers per centimeter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 2 wherein the width of said fingers is between about 1-20 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 3 wherein said thin metallic fingers are separated by distances of approximately 0.03 centimeters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 3 wherein said p-n junction divides said semiconductor matErial into a top n-type layer and a bottom p-type layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 3 wherein said material between said top surface and said p-n junction has an impurity concentration of about 1019 - 1020 impurity atoms/cm3.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 3 wherein said thin metallic fingers are spread substantially evenly over the surface of said solar cell at a density in one dimension of approximately 30 metallic fingers per centimeter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 3 wherein the width of said fingers is between about 1-20 microns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 9 wherein said p-n junction divides said semiconductor material into a top n-type layer and a bottom p-type layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 14 wherein said material between said top surface and said p-n junction has an impurity concentration of about 1019 - 1020 impurity atoms/cm3.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 15 wherein said impurity atoms are atoms selected from a group consisting of phosphorous, arsenic and antimony.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 16 wherein said thin metallic fingers are spread substantially evenly over the surface of said solar cell at a density in one dimension of approximately 30 metallic fingers per centimeter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 17 wherein the width of said fingers is between about 1-20 microns.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |