INFRARED PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE

摘要

A hybrid photovoltaic (PV) device according comprises a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor photovoltaic (PV) layer on one side of said substrate, a metal layer on top of said PV layer, a first electrode layer on top of said metal layer, and a bottom metal electrode on the opposite side of said substrate from said PV layer, wherein said metal layer forms a Shottcky junction between said metal layer and said PV layer. Because of existence of the Shottcky junction, the PV cell permits light to electricity conversion over a wide-range of light wavelengths, from visible light (between 350 nm to 900 nm wavelength) to infrared light (over 900 nm wavelength). Also described is a method for manufacturing a hybrid PV device. The method of manufacturing comprises performing the steps of: cleaning a semiconductor substrate; introducing an inert gas under vacuum and a high temperature to form a semiconductor PV layer having a high resistivity on the top surface of said substrate; forming a metal layer over said PV layer to create a Shottcky junction between said metal layer and said PV layer; forming a transparent layer over the top of said metal layer; and forming a metal bottom electrode on the bottom surface of said substrate.

主权项

1. An infrared photovoltaic device comprising a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor photovoltaic (PV) layer on one side of said substrate, a metal layer on top of said PV layer, a first electrode layer on top of said metal layer, and a bottom metal electrode on the opposite side of said substrate from said PV layer, wherein said metal layer forms a Shottcky junction between said metal layer and said PV layer.