Patent ID: 6180869
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: H01L,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
A solar cell, comprising:a rectifying junction, at least partially exposable to solar radiation for generation of electrical current, made of a first semiconductive material, comprising a first half and a second half;a first electrode making ohmic contact to the first half;a second electrode making ohmic contact to the second half;wherein the first half has been doped with a first dopant to be a semiconductive material of a first type;wherein the second half has been doped with a second dopant to be a semiconductive material of a second type opposite to the first type;wherein the second half comprises a first region beneath the second electrode that has been more heavily doped with a third dopant than at least a portion of the remaining second half;wherein the first region is aligned with the second electrode;wherein the second electrode comprises an alloy of a first metal, the third dopant and the first semiconductive material;wherein the first metal is capable of forming a eutectic with the first semiconductive material and the first metal is not capable of significantly doping the first semiconductive material; andwherein that part of the second electrode that comprises the first metal and the first semiconductor comprises eutectic proportions of the first metal and the first semiconductive material.