Patent ID: 8378209
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: H01L,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A solar cell made of semiconductor materials, the solar cell having a crystalline structure with crystal planes, the solar cell comprising: a germanium substrate; a least one p-n junction formed atop the germanium substrate, the at least one p-n junction including one or more group III elements and one or more group V elements; a solar cell window layer formed atop the at least one p-n junction; a patterned cap layer formed atop the solar cell window layer, the patterned cap layer being electrically connected to the solar cell window layer, the patterned cap layer exposing a light-input portion of the solar cell window layer; a sidewall extending along a height of the cap layer and towards the germanium substrate, the sidewall having a cleaved surface, the cleaved surface being parallel to a cleaving plane of the solar cell, the cleaving plane being parallel to a crystal plane of the solar cell, the crystal plane being a plane of a (110) family of planes of the crystalline structure; a side piece adjacent the sidewall, the side piece being a semi-insulating silicon side piece; and a metal layer formed on a portion of the patterned cap layer and on a portion of the side piece, the metal layer defining a busbar of the solar cell, the busbar bridging the side piece and the patterned cap layer.