Patent US3980386A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4036666A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manufacture of semiconductor ribbon
Assignee: Schott Solar CSP Inc
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Filing: 1975-12-05
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Granted: 1977-07-19
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Expires: 1995-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for producing flat substantially monocrystalline ribbons, e.g. silicon ribbons for use in making flat solar cells. The ribbons are produced by growing substantially monocrystalline flat hollow tubes, and then excising the edge portions of the tubes so that the flat sides of the tubes form discrete ribbons.
Inventors
- 👤 Abraham I. Mlavsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:18
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F71/00; H10F71/121; H10F71/1221; C; C30; C30B; C30B15/00; C30B15/34; C30B29/00; C30B29/60; C30B29/66; C30B33/00; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/14; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/546; Y02E10/547; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of producing substantially monocrystalline ribbons for use in fabricating solid state electronic devices comprising the steps of: a. providing a substantially monocrystalline body of a semiconductor material in the form of a flat oval tube having a pair of opposed mutually spaced substantially flat side wall sections connected together by a pair of opposed side edge sections; and b. severing said opposed side edge sections from said tube so that said side wall sections are separated as discrete ribbons.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of producing substantially monocrystalline ribbons for use in fabricating solid state electronic devices comprising the steps of: a. providing a substantially monocrystalline body of a semiconductor material in the form of a flat oval tube having a pair of opposed mutually spaced substantially flat side wall sections connected together by a pair of opposed side edge sections; and b. severing said opposed side edge sections from said tube so that said side wall sections are separated as discrete ribbons.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said tube is made of silicon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said tube is made of α-alumina.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said tube comprises P-type silicon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said tube comprises N-type silicon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said tube is severed by dissolving selected portions thereof with a liquid solvent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said tube is severed by etching away selected portions thereof with a selected etchant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method according to claim 7 including the step of coating selected areas of said tube with a material that is resistant to said etchant, so that said predetermined areas are protected against attack by said etchant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
Method according to claim 1 including the steps of forming a protective film on the surfaces of said tube, removing selected portions of said film, and severing said tube by etching it where the selected portions of said film were removed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said tube is characterized by a first type conductivity, and forming a zone of opposite type conductivity at the outer surface of said tube before it is severed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said tube is characterized by a first type conductivity, and treating at least one of said ribbons to form a zone of opposite type conductivity and a photovoltaic junction near one surface of said ribbon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method according to claim 11 including the step of forming electrodes on two surfaces of said at least one ribbon on opposite sides of said junction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |