The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 15, 1985
Filed:
Jun. 25, 1984
Michael Hack, Troy, MI (US);
Subhendu Guha, Clawson, MI (US);
Sovonics Solar Systems, Solin, OH (US);
Abstract
An improved photovoltaic device characterized by long term stability in its photoconversion ability. The device is adapted to absorb incident light throughout a substantial portion of the bulk of the photoactive region thereof in a substantially uniform manner. Said uniform absorption of light is provided by grading the band gap of at least a portion of the semiconductor material of the photoactive region thereof such that the graded portions most proximate the light incident surface of the photovoltaic device have a wider band gap than do those portions more distal from the light incident surface. The band gap gradation may be smooth or stepped, and may be accomplished by compositional variation of the semiconductor materials forming the photoactive region. A method for fabricating the stable photovoltaic device of the instant invention is also provided.