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:
Feb. 06, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 04, 1997
Jinsho Matsuyama, Souraku-gun, JP;
Koichi Matsuda, Ikoma, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A photovoltaic device of the present invention has a non-single-crystal semiconductor. A layer underlying the non-single-crystal semiconductor has a polycrystalline structure. Individual grains of the polycrystal exposed in the surface of the underlying layer have smooth surfaces. The surface of the underlying layer has a step along the grain boundaries of the polycrystal, or a protrusion or recess at the grain boundaries. Alternatively, polycrystal grains having rough surfaces and polycrystal grains having smooth surfaces commonly exist in the surface of the polycrystalline layer. The polycrystalline layer may be a substrate of the photovoltaic device. The present invention, by virtue of the use of such a polycrystalline layer, provides a highly reliable and efficient thin-film photovoltaic device which enhances light absorption by the semiconductor layer and which can be produced at a high yield even at a practically adoptable low cost, while eliminating deficiencies of known arts in regard to workability, yield and durability.