IP Library Granted Patent US 9,537,039
Granted Patent B2
US 9,537,039 · App. 13/685,035 · Granted Jan 3, 2017

Photovoltaic devices including MG-doped semiconductor films

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,537,039
App. No.
13/685,035
Granted
Jan 3, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A photovoltaic cell can include a dopant in contact with a semiconductor layer. The photovoltaic cell can include a transparent conductive layer and a first semiconductor layer in contact with the transparent conductive layer, the first semiconductor layer including magnesium. In certain circumstances, a substrate can be a glass substrate. In other circumstances, a substrate can be a metal layer. The first semiconductor layer can include CdS. The first semiconductor layer can have a thickness of between about 200 or 3000 Angstroms. The first semiconductor layer can include 1-20% magnesium. A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell can include providing a transparent conductive layer and depositing a first semiconductor layer in contact with the transparent conductive layer, the first semiconductor layer treated with magnesium.

Claims (20)

1. A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell comprising:

providing a transparent conductive layer; and

depositing a first semiconductor layer comprising CdS and having a first side that is doped with magnesium, the first semiconductor layer being deposited such that the first side is in direct physical contact with the transparent conductive layer.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein first semiconductor layer includes 1-20% magnesium.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transparent conductive layer is positioned over a substrate.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transparent conductive layer is positioned over the first semiconductor layer.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a second semiconductor layer in contact with the first semiconductor layer.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second semiconductor layer comprises CdTe.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising treating the second semiconductor layer with cadmium chloride.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising treating the second semiconductor layer with heat at approximately 380-450 degrees Celsius.

9. A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell comprising:

providing a transparent conductive layer over a substrate;

depositing a layer comprising CdS such that a first side of the CdS layer is in direct physical contact with the transparent conductive layer, the first side being doped with magnesium; and

depositing a layer comprising CdTe in contact with the CdS layer.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein CdS layer includes 1-20% magnesium.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the transparent conductive layer is positioned over a substrate.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the transparent conductive layer is positioned over the CdS layer.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising treating the CdTe layer with cadmium chloride.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising treating the CdTe layer with heat at approximately 380-450 degrees Celsius.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein CdS layer is deposited to a thickness of between about 200 to about 3000 Angstroms.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2026
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 074858/0364 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2023
From: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 064237/0462 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Nov 15, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 058132/0566 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Nov 15, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 058132/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 12, 2017
From: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 043177/0581 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT APPLICATION 13/895113 ERRONEOUSLY ASSIGNED BY FIRST SOLAR, INC. TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. ON JULY 19, 2013 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 030832 FRAME 0088. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CORRECT PATENT APPLICATION TO BE ASSIGNED IS 13/633664. Recorded Sep 19, 2014
From: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 033779/0081 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 19, 2013
From: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 030832/0088 →