Flexible hermetic semiconductor solar cell package with non-hermetic option
A device containing a solar cell chip that may include a hermetically sealed chamber containing optical matching fluid and a threaded pedestal mounting to allow for replacement of solar cell units and that are easily mountable to a master heat sink.
1. A low profile photovoltaic package, comprising
a circular base, comprising:
an upper layer comprising aluminum nitride, a middle layer comprising molybdenum, and a lower layer comprising oxygen-free, high-conductivity copper, wherein the upper layer, the middle layer, and the lower layer are characterized by a high and comparable coefficient of thermal expansion;
the upper layer is electrically nonconductive;
the middle layer and the lower layer are electrically conductive; and
electrically conductive traces on a top surface of the upper layer;
an annular ceramic ring hermetically sealed to the top surface with an epoxy or with an adhesive, wherein the annular ceramic ring is configured to form a compartment;
a photovoltaic device mounted to the circular base within the compartment and electrically interconnected to the electrically conductive traces;
bypass diodes mounted to the circular base, wherein the bypass diodes are interconnected to the photovoltaic device and to the electrically conductive traces;
an externally threaded pedestal fixedly attached to a bottom surface of the lower layer;
a cover, wherein the cover comprises:
a quartz window comprising an outer diameter; and
an iron-nickel-cobalt alloy disk characterized by a low thermal expansion coefficient and comprising an inner diameter.
2. The low profile photovoltaic package of claim 1 , wherein the annular ceramic ring comprises aluminum oxide.
3. The low profile photovoltaic package of claim 1 , wherein the circular base is characterized by a thickness of about 0.040 inches.
4. The low profile photovoltaic package of claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive traces comprise an alloy of gold and silver.
5. The low profile photovoltaic package of claim 1 , wherein the threaded pedestal comprises exterior threads.
6. The low profile photovoltaic package of claim 1 , wherein the hermetically sealed compartment is filled with an optical index matching fluid.
7. The low profile photovoltaic package of claim 1 , wherein the bypass diodes are mounted to the circular base within the compartment.