Nukem Limited

Bernd Schurich

Gert Hewig

Jorg Worner

Hans Huschka

Hans-Werner Schock

In order to provide an uncomplicated and economical front surface contact for photovoltaic cells (10) with good current discharge capability and high radiation permeability, the front surface contact (20) is composed of several layer (22, 24, 26) which are essentially unaligned with respect each other. The layers (22, 24, 26) are composed of different materials, which guarantes good ohmic coupling to the light incident semiconductor layer, good collection of free charge carriers in the semiconductor layer, and good discharge of same to a load device.

Photovoltaic cell and method for its fabrication

A contact system for thin film solar cells, which guarantees that charge carrier transport without a barrier layer takes place from the semiconductor layer facing the light source to the front contact in such a manner that, among others, long term negative influences by the front contact on the semiconductor layer will not take place. To this end the front contact is rendered passive against the semiconductor layer by modifying its chemical potential, at least in the actual contact area, to be matched to the chemical potential of the semiconductor layer, or by forming a chemically inert system acting as a reaction barrier between the front contact and the semiconductor layer.

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Bruchkoebel, Germany

Bernd Schurich