Patent ID: 8723021

Claim:
A solar cell including: a substrate having an N-region and a P-region; a first anti-reflective layer disposed on the substrate; a metallic contact disposed on the first anti-reflective layer; a second anti-reflective layer disposed on the first anti-reflective layer and the metallic contact; and a region partially defined by the first anti-reflective layer and the second anti-reflective layer having metallic contact material that is diffused into the first and second anti-reflective layers to form a diffused metal contact, the region being completely surrounded by the first and second anti-reflective layers and forming a conductive path to the substrate through the first anti-reflective layer, the metallic contact, and the second anti-reflective layer, wherein the region separates a first portion of the first anti-reflective layer and the second anti-reflective layer from a second portion of the first anti-reflective layer and the second anti-reflective layer, and wherein an outer region of dielectric material is formed by the first anti-reflective layer and the second anti-reflective layer that surrounds the metal contact.