초록 ▼

A solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate of one conductivity type, at least one separation region of opposite conductivity type extending through the substrate, a first semiconductor layer disposed on the front of the substrate, an opposite conductivity type second semiconductor layer dispose

A solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate of one conductivity type, at least one separation region of opposite conductivity type extending through the substrate, a first semiconductor layer disposed on the front of the substrate, an opposite conductivity type second semiconductor layer disposed on the first layer to form a rectifying junction, the second layer being in electrical communication with the separation region, a first electrode disposed on the rear surface of the substrate and a second electrode in electrical communication with the second layer and extending to the rear of the substrate. The solar cell may be made by diffusing the separation region in the substrate, epitaxially growing the first and second layers successively on the front of the substrate, establishing electrical communication between the second layer and the separation region at the front, and forming the first and seocnd electrodes. The solar cell has both electrodes on the rear surface, more than one of the solar cells can be made from a single substrate, and the depth of the rectifying junction can be controlled, all producing cells suitable for space applications.

대표청구항 ▼

A solar cell comprising: a compound semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type having opposed front and rear surfaces including at least one separation region for receiving an interconnecting electrode, said separation region extending through said substrate from said front surface to said

A solar cell comprising: a compound semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type having opposed front and rear surfaces including at least one separation region for receiving an interconnecting electrode, said separation region extending through said substrate from said front surface to said rear surface, said separation region having a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type; a first compound semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type disposed on the front surface of said substrate; a second compound semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type disposed on said first layer opposite said substrate and forming a rectifying junction with said first layer, said second layer being in electrical communication with said separation region; a first electrode disposed on the rear surface of said substrate and spaced from said separation region; and an interconnecting electrode in electrical communication with said second layer at said front surface and extending to said rear surface over said separation region.