公开(公告)号：US11563134B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-24

申请号：US17379719

申请日：2021-07-19

Applicant: California Institute of Technology

Inventor： Harry A. Atwater ,  Phillip R. Jahelka

IPC: H01L31/0725 ,  H01L31/073 ,  H01L31/0216 ,  H01L31/0735 ,  H01L31/0224 ,  H01L31/0687 ,  H01L31/0693

Abstract: Systems and methods of three-terminal tandem solar cells are described. Three-terminal metal electrodes can be formed to contact subcells of the tandem solar cell. The three-terminal tandem cell can improve the device efficiency to at least 30%.

公开(公告)号：US11362229B2

公开(公告)日：2022-06-14

申请号：US16373252

申请日：2019-04-02

Applicant: California Institute of Technology

Inventor： Phillip R. Jahelka ,  Harry A. Atwater ,  Wen-Hui Cheng ,  Rebecca D. Glaudell

IPC: H01L31/0687 ,  H01L21/02 ,  H01L31/0352 ,  H01L21/263 ,  H01L31/18

Abstract: Photovoltaics configured to be manufactured without epitaxial processes and methods for such manufacture are provided. Methods utilize bulk semiconducting crystal substrates, such as, for example, GaAs and InP such that epitaxy processes are not required. Nanowire etch and exfoliation processes are used allowing the manufacture of large numbers of photovoltaic cells per substrate wafer (e.g., greater than 100). Photovoltaic cells incorporate electron and hole selective contacts such that epitaxial heterojunctions are avoided during manufacture.

公开(公告)号：US20240258452A1

公开(公告)日：2024-08-01

申请号：US18424598

申请日：2024-01-26

Applicant: California Institute of Technology

Inventor： Phillip R. Jahelka ,  Andrew W. Nyholm ,  Harry A. Atwater

IPC: H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/0392 ,  H01L31/0693 ,  H01L31/0224 ,  H01L31/0304

CPC classification number: H01L31/1896 ,  H01L31/0392 ,  H01L31/0693 ,  H01L31/022425 ,  H01L31/03042 ,  H01L31/184

Abstract: Systems and methods for epitaxy-free thin-film solar cells are described. The thin-film solar cells can be fabricated with low cost epitaxy-free processes. The solar cells have high efficiency and are lightweight. These properties make the solar cells desired for space based solar cell applications.

公开(公告)号：US20190312168A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-10

申请号：US16373252

申请日：2019-04-02

Applicant: California Institute of Technology

Inventor： Phillip R. Jahelka ,  Harry A. Atwater ,  Wen-Hui Cheng ,  Rebecca D. Glaudell

IPC: H01L31/0687 ,  H01L21/263 ,  H01L31/0352 ,  H01L21/02

Abstract: Photovoltaics configured to be manufactured without epitaxial processes and methods for such manufacture are provided. Methods utilize bulk semiconducting crystal substrates, such as, for example, GaAs and InP such that epitaxy processes are not required. Nanowire etch and exfoliation processes are used allowing the manufacture of large numbers of photovoltaic cells per substrate wafer (e.g., greater than 100). Photovoltaic cells incorporate electron and hole selective contacts such that epitaxial heterojunctions are avoided during manufacture.

公开(公告)号：US20220020891A1

公开(公告)日：2022-01-20

申请号：US17379719

申请日：2021-07-19

Applicant: California Institute of Technology

Inventor： Harry A. Atwater ,  Phillip R. Jahelka

IPC: H01L31/0725 ,  H01L31/073 ,  H01L31/0735 ,  H01L31/0216 ,  H01L31/18

Abstract: Systems and methods of three-terminal tandem solar cells are described. Three-terminal metal electrodes can be formed to contact subcells of the tandem solar cell. The three-terminal tandem cell can improve the device efficiency to at least 30%.

公开(公告)号：US20210391486A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-16

申请号：US17346828

申请日：2021-06-14

Applicant: California Institute of Technology

Inventor： Phillip R. Jahelka ,  Rebecca D. Glaudell ,  Harry A. Atwater

IPC: H01L31/07 ,  H01L31/0735 ,  H01L31/048 ,  H01L31/0352 ,  H01L31/0224 ,  H01L31/0304

Abstract: Systems and methods of non-epitaxial high Schottky barriers heterojunction solar cells are described. The high Schottky barriers heterojunction solar cells are formed using non-epitaxial methods to reduce fabrication costs and improve scalability.

公开(公告)号：US20170263796A1

公开(公告)日：2017-09-14

申请号：US15453867

申请日：2017-03-08

Applicant: California Institute of Technology

Inventor： Phillip R. Jahelka

IPC: H01L31/054 ,  H01L31/02 ,  H01L31/0203 ,  H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/0232 ,  H01L31/0216

CPC classification number: H01L31/0547 ,  H01L31/02167 ,  H01L31/048 ,  Y02E10/52

Abstract: Solar cells in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention are encapsulated by a material that can render the front contacts of the solar cells effectively invisible at certain angles of incidence. Front contacts of a solar cell provide a way for current to escape from the solar cell. However, these front contacts cover portions of the photoabsorbing substrate, blocking incident light that could otherwise be utilized by the photoabsorbing substrate for electrical power generation. By encapsulating the solar cell and using encapsulated volumes above the front contact that define interfaces, light reaching the interface can be refracted due to the different refractive indices of the two media. Depending on the refractive index ratio, total internal reflection can occur at certain angles of incidence. Totally internally reflected light can be redirected away from the front contacts and onto the photoabsorbing substrate, thereby reducing optical waste.