Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to photovoltaic devices, and more particularly to a device and method for fabricating a corrugated or undulating photovoltaic device structure with nanolayers to achieve higher efficiency. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    With growing concern about low cost clean energy, solar power has again become a focal point for alternatives to fossil fuel energy production. Solar energy, while clean and sustainable, typically relies on expensive technologies for its implementation. These technologies include the incorporation of integrated circuits or integrated circuit technology into the fabrication of solar cells. The expense associated with current solar panels is a strong disincentive from moving in the direction of solar power. 
         [0005]    Solar panels employ photovoltaic cells to generate current flow. When a photon hits silicon, the photon may be transmitted through the silicon, reflected off the surface, or absorbed by the silicon if the photon energy is higher than the silicon band gap value. This generates an electron-hole pair and sometimes heat, depending on the band structure. To achieve good carrier collection efficiency, nanorods have been suggested. These structures extend from a base and have an increased absorption length due to the length of the nanorod (or wire). Nanorods require expensive processing techniques (patterning and etching steps in a clean room semiconductor processing environment) to form them. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A photovoltaic device and method include a substrate layer having a plurality of structures including peaks and troughs formed therein. A continuous photovoltaic stack is conformally formed over the substrate layer and extends over the peaks and troughs. The photovoltaic stack has a thickness of less than one micron and is configured to transduce incident radiation into current flow. 
         [0007]    Another photovoltaic device includes a substrate layer having a plurality of grooves formed therein across a major surface of the substrate layer. The grooves extend in at least one direction along the major surface. For example, grooves in two directions may form vertical cones or wires. A continuous photovoltaic stack is conformally formed over the substrate layer which extends into the grooves. The photovoltaic stack includes at least a P-type layer, an N-type layer and an intrinsic layer disposed therebetween. The photovoltaic stack is about 0.5 microns or less in depth and is configured to transduce incident radiation into current flow. 
         [0008]    A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes mechanically forming a plurality of grooves in a substrate layer; and forming a continuous photovoltaic stack including an N-type layer, a P-type layer and an intrinsic layer therebetween which conforms to a surface of the substrate layer and into the plurality of grooves such that the continuous photovoltaic stack follows peaks and valleys in the substrate layer. 
         [0009]    These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The disclosure will provide details in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a photovoltaic device having a plurality of grooves supporting a nanoscale junction on a metal substrate in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a photovoltaic device having a plurality of grooves supporting a nanoscale junction on a transparent substrate in accordance with another embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrative showing incident radiation falling of the structure of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a plot of current density versus voltage for the photovoltaic device having the structure of  FIG. 1  as compared to a conventional planar device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a is a cross-sectional view of the photovoltaic device of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2  having tandem nanoscale junctions by adding additional stacks in accordance with another embodiment; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram showing a method for fabricating a photovoltaic device in accordance with the present principles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    In accordance with the present principles, devices and methods for fabricating these devices are provided. The devices employ a substrate layer having prefabricated structures configured to provide a vertical component of a radiation absorption layer. The vertical component may include a hill and trough structure having sides that carry the light absorbing material. The sides provide a depth to increase the likelihood of absorption of the radiation. In this way, the structures provide an inexpensive method that does not require expensive lithographic patterning of nanorods and results in higher absorption efficiency. 
         [0018]    A hole-electron pair collection in amorphous silicon (a low lifetime material) takes place within 300˜500 nm from its surface. Light, however, can penetrate further than this depth. Therefore, a vertical array of thin amorphous silicon cells (with depth&lt;300 nm) with more than 1 micron height will absorb more light and provide horizontal carrier collection within the distance of less than 300 nm. To make an amorphous silicon pillar structure, however, a nano-templated mask and subsequent dry etching are needed. This may increase process cost and result in damage on the amorphous silicon surface. 
         [0019]    In accordance with particularly useful embodiments, mechanical grooving, stamping, embossing etc. on a metal substrate or a glass substrate may be employed to form a three-dimensional (3D) nanostructure with conformal thin film solar cell depositions. These nanostructured solar cells will provide high efficiency with reduced cost. Deposition of conformal low carrier life time materials (e.g., amorphous silicon) with thin thicknesses on the 3D-structured substrate provides cost effective structures with low potential damage of the surface and provides better performance. When 3D structures are employed in thin film photovoltaic devices, the thickness needed for planar photovoltaic devices is not necessary. Especially for amorphous Si photovoltaics, the thinner the layer, the less light degradation there is. 
         [0020]    It is to be understood that the present invention will be described in terms of given illustrative architectures for a solar cell; however, other architectures, structures, substrate materials and process features and steps may be varied within the scope of the present invention. A circuit formed using these structures as described herein may be part of a design for an integrated circuit chip. The chip design may be created in a graphical computer programming language, and stored in a computer storage medium (such as a disk, tape, physical hard drive, or virtual hard drive such as in a storage access network). If the designer does not fabricate chips or the photolithographic masks used to fabricate chips, the designer may transmit the resulting design by physical means (e.g., by providing a copy of the storage medium storing the design) or electronically (e.g., through the Internet) to such entities, directly or indirectly. The stored design is then converted into the appropriate format (e.g., GDSII) for the fabrication of photolithographic masks, which typically include multiple copies of the chip design in question that are to be formed on a wafer. The photolithographic masks are utilized to define areas of the wafer (and/or the layers thereon) to be etched or otherwise processed. 
         [0021]    Methods as described herein may be used in the fabrication of integrated circuit chips and/or solar cells. The resulting integrated circuit chips or cells can be distributed by the fabricator in raw wafer form (that is, as a single wafer that has multiple unpackaged chips), as a bare die, or in a packaged form. In the latter case, the chip is mounted in a single chip package (such as a plastic carrier, with leads that are affixed to a motherboard or other higher level carrier) or in a multichip package (such as a ceramic carrier that has either or both surface interconnections or buried interconnections). In any case the chip is then integrated with other chips, discrete circuit elements, and/or other signal processing devices as part of either (a) an intermediate product, such as a motherboard, or (b) an end product. The end product can be any product that includes photovoltaic devices, integrated circuit chips with solar cells, ranging from toys, calculators, solar collectors and other low-end applications to advanced products. 
         [0022]    The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, and methods according to various embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
         [0023]    Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements and initially to  FIG. 1 , an illustrative photovoltaic structure  100  is illustratively depicted in accordance with one embodiment. The photovoltaic structure  100  may be employed in solar cells, light sensors or other photovoltaic applications. Structure  100  includes a substrate layer  102  that is prefabricated with grooves  103 , which may be mechanically or chemically applied. The substrate  102  may include a metal or other opaque material, such as aluminum, copper, etc. 
         [0024]    The metal substrate layer  102  may be employed as a back-reflector or include a back reflector layer  114  formed on substrate layer  102 . The back-reflector layer  114  may include a transparent oxide, such as, ZnO and a reflective surface. This layer may be deposited before forming a layer  104 . A reflective surface may be provided on substrate layer  102  to reflect and transmitted light back toward the light absorption layer. The surface preferably includes a highly reflective material, such as silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), etc. 
         [0025]    A first layer  104  is formed on or over the substrate layer  102  (or the back-reflector  114 , if present) and provides a first electrode. The first layer  104  may include amorphous silicon (e.g., a-Si:H), microcrystalline silicon ({circumflex over (3)}-Si:H), SiC or other suitable materials, such as, e.g., CIGS (CuInGaS), CdTe, poly Si or other kinds of materials for thin film solar cells. Layer  104  includes N-type characteristics in this embodiment. An intrinsic layer  106  is formed on layer  104 . The intrinsic layer  106  includes a compatible material with layers  104  and  108 . The intrinsic layer  106  is undoped. A layer  108  is formed on the intrinsic layer  106 , and has an opposite polarity relative to the layer  104  (e.g., if layer  104  is N-type then layer  108  is P-type or vice versa). In this example, layer  108  is a P-type material and layer  104  is an N-type material. Layer  108  forms a second electrode of the structure. Different combinations of material may be employed to form the photovoltaic stack, for example, CdS (n-type)/CIGS (intrinsic (i-type))/Molybdenum (p-type) on glass. Other materials may be employed as well. 
         [0026]    The 3D structure with grooves  103  can be achieved by using various different methods including stamping, embossing, and grooving. The 3D structure may include lines, pillars, cones or other shapes. In one embodiment, spacing between pillars or lines may include a 0.5˜1.0 micron spacing  105  between pillars or lines depending on the thickness of the layers  104 ,  106  and  108 . The combined thickness of the layers  104 ,  106  and  108  may be between about a 0.1 and 0.5 microns. A height  107  may be 1 micron to about 5 microns. For a single junction solar cell, pillar or line shapes are preferably angular for capturing light and increasing the chance of capturing reflected light. For example, a preferred angle between a horizontal base and an edge of the pillar or line is between 90° and 60°. 
         [0027]    Layers  104 ,  106  and  108  form a single junction configured to be light-absorbing of incident radiation. Note that layer  104  is in contact with or adjacent to the substrate layer  102  which may include or be configured to function as an optional back-reflector. A transparent conductive material  110  may be included to protect the structure. The transparent material  110  and layer  108  may together form an electrode of the structure  100 . The transparent conductive material  110  may include a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), such as, e.g., a fluorine-doped tin oxide (SnO 2 :F, or “FTO”), doped zinc oxide (e.g.,: ZnO:Al), and indium tin oxide (ITO) or other suitable materials. The transparent conductive material  110  permits light to pass through to an active light-absorbing material beneath (e.g., layers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ) and permits conduction to transport photo-generated charge carriers in that light-absorbing material. 
         [0028]    The structure  100  is preferably a silicon thin-film cell, which includes silicon layers which may be deposited by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, or a plasma-enhanced (PE-CVD)) from silane gas and hydrogen gas. Depending on the deposition parameters, amorphous silicon (a-Si or a-Si:H), and/or nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si or nc-Si:H), also called microcrystalline silicon {circumflex over (3)}c-Si:H may be formed. 
         [0029]    In illustrative embodiments, structure  100  includes P-type amorphous or microcrystalline silicon (a or {circumflex over (3)}c)-Si:H for layer  108  with a thickness of about 5 nm to about 20 nm. An N-type amorphous or microcrystalline silicon (a or {circumflex over (3)}c)-Si:H for layer  104  includes a thickness of about 5 nm to about 20 nm. In this case, the intrinsic layer  106  includes amorphous or microcrystalline silicon (a or {circumflex over (3)}c)-Si:H and may include a thickness of about 50 nm to about 300 nm preferably less than 150 nm although other dimensions may be employed. 
         [0030]    In accordance with the present principles, substrate layer  102  includes grooves  103  or other surface features that permit increased light absorption. In one embodiment, substrate layer  102  is mechanically or chemically grooved to form trapezoidal shaped cross-sections on which layers  104 ,  106 ,  108 , etc. are formed. The grooves  103  preferably include a depth of between about 1 to 5 microns and more preferably a depth of between about 1-2 microns. For high lifetime materials, the grooves  103  preferably include a depth of about 1 to about 20 microns and more preferably a depth of about 1 to about 10 microns. These dimensions are illustrative as shallower or deeper dimensions may be employed. The grooves  103  may also include rectangular, elliptical, and cylindrical shapes/cross-sections. In other embodiments, grooves  103  may be formed in two directions to form three-dimensional structures (e.g., groves into the page and in the plane of the page) or spherical islands, diamond-shaped islands, pyramidal shaped plateaus, etc. Other structures, such as grooves formed with wavy lines, are also contemplated. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an illustrative photovoltaic structure  200  is illustratively depicted in accordance with another embodiment. The photovoltaic structure  200  may be employed in solar cells, light sensors or other photovoltaic applications. Structure  200  includes a substrate layer  202  that is prefabricated with grooves  203 , which may be mechanically or chemically applied. The substrate  202  may include a transparent material, such as glass, a polymer, transparent conductive oxide (TCO), etc. 
         [0032]    A transparent conductive material  210  may be included on substrate layer  202 . The transparent conductive material  210  and adjacent layer  204  may together form an electrode of the structure  200 . The transparent conductive material  110  may include a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), such as, e.g., a fluorine-doped tin oxide (SnO 2 :F, or “FTO”), doped zinc oxide (e.g.,: ZnO:Al), and indium tin oxide (ITO) or other suitable materials. 
         [0033]    A first layer  204  is formed on or over the substrate layer  202  (and/or transparent conductor  210 , if present) and provides a first electrode. The first layer  204  may include amorphous silicon (e.g., a-Si:H), microcrystalline silicon ({circumflex over (3)}c-Si:H), SiC or other suitable materials, such as, e.g., CIGS (CuInGaS), CdTe, poly Si or other kinds of materials for thin film solar cells. Layer  204  includes P-type characteristics in this embodiment. An intrinsic layer  206  is formed on layer  204 . The intrinsic layer  206  includes a compatible material with layers  204  and  208 . The intrinsic layer  206  is undoped. A layer  208  is formed on the intrinsic layer  206 , and has an opposite polarity relative to the layer  204  (e.g., if layer  204  is P-type then layer  208  is N-type or vice versa). In this example, layer  208  is an N-type material and layer  204  is a P-type material. Layer  208  forms a second electrode of the structure. Different combinations of material may be employed to form the photovoltaic stack, for example, CdS (n-type)/CIGS (intrinsic (i-type))/Molybdenum (p-type) on glass. Other materials may be employed as well. 
         [0034]    A back-reflector and electrode layer  214  is formed on layer  208 . The back-reflector layer  214  may include a transparent oxide, such as, ZnO and a reflective surface. 
         [0035]    The 3D structure with grooves  203  can be achieved by using various different methods including etching, embossing and grooving. The 3D structure may include lines, pillars or other shapes. In one embodiment, spacing between pillars or lines may include a 0.5˜1.0 micron spacing between pillars or lines depending on the thickness of the layers  204 ,  206  and  208 . The combined thickness of the layers  204 ,  206  and  208  may be between about 0.1˜0.5 microns. A height  207  may be between about 1 micron and about 5 microns. For a single junction solar cell, pillar or line shapes are preferably angular for capturing light and increasing the chance of reabsorbing reflected light. For example, a preferred angle between a horizontal base and an edge of the pillar or line is between 90° and 60°. 
         [0036]    Layers  204 ,  206  and  208  form a single junction configured to be light-absorbing of incident radiation. Note that layer  204  is in contact with or adjacent to the substrate layer  202  or layer  210  which may be configured to function as an optional back-reflector. The structure  200  is preferably a silicon thin-film cell, which includes silicon layers which may be deposited by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, or a plasma-enhanced (PE-CVD)) from silane gas and hydrogen gas. Depending on the deposition parameters, amorphous silicon (a-Si or a-Si:H), and/or nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si or nc-Si:H), also called microcrystalline silicon {circumflex over (3)}c-Si:H may be formed. 
         [0037]    In illustrative embodiments, structure  200  includes P-type amorphous or microcrystalline silicon (a or {circumflex over (3)}c)-Si:H for layer  204  with a thickness of about 5 nm to about 20 nm. An N-type amorphous or microcrystalline silicon (a or {circumflex over (3)}c)-Si:H for layer  208  includes a thickness of about 5 nm to about 20 nm. In this case, the intrinsic layer  206  includes amorphous or microcrystalline silicon (a or {circumflex over (3)}c)-Si:H and may include a thickness of about 50 nm to about 300 nm. Other dimensions may be employed. 
         [0038]    In accordance with the present principles, substrate layer  202  includes grooves  203  or other surface features that permit increased light absorption. In one embodiment, substrate layer  202  is mechanically or chemically grooved to faun trapezoidal shaped cross-sections on which layers  204 ,  206 ,  208 , etc. are formed. The grooves  203  preferably include a depth of between about 1 to 5 microns and more preferably a depth of between about 1-2 microns. For high lifetime materials, the grooves  203  preferably include a depth of about 1 to about 20 microns and more preferably a depth of about 1 to about 10 microns. These dimensions are illustrative as shallower or deeper dimensions may be employed. The grooves  203  may also include rectangular, elliptical, and cylindrical shapes/cross-sections. In other embodiments, grooves  203  may be formed in two directions to form three-dimensional structures (e.g., groves into the page and in the plane of the page) or spherical islands, diamond-shaped islands, pyramidal shaped plateaus, etc. Other structures, such as grooves formed with wavy lines, are also contemplated. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , several radiation rays  330 ,  331 ,  332  and  334  are illustratively depicted to show examples of how light absorption is increased using the structures of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Ray  330  falls incident on a plateau area  340 . Radiation in this area  340  is absorbed as in a planar structure. However, the areas  340  are greatly reduced. Ray  331  falls incident along a plane  342  of a light absorbing layer. As a result, the effective thickness of the light absorbing layer has a longer length. Ray  331  is therefore most likely completely absorbed. Ray  332  falls incident at an angle relative to plane  342 . Part of ray  332  is reflected as a result of the geometry. A reflected ray  334  falls incident on an opposing surface of the structure, there is a multiple reflection of the ray, and the reflected ray is further absorbed. In areas outside of plateau area  340 , a greater amount of radiation absorption occurs resulting in significant increases in solar cell efficiency. 
         [0040]    In accordance with the present principles, a strong enhancement is provided for current density and voltage. Light loss is reduced in accordance with the present principles resulting in better operating efficiencies. Current density at short circuit (J sc ) is advantageously increased as a result of a single increased junction that occupies a large area of a panel and reduced light loss. In one embodiment, current density is enhanced by a factor of two or more over a planar panel design. In addition, open circuit voltage is advantageously increased. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a plot of current density (mA/cm 2 ) versus voltage (V) in between a nanostructured continuous photovoltaic device (Nano)  420  in accordance with the present principles and a planar conventional device (Planar)  422  is illustratively shown. The nanostructured continuous photovoltaic device included a photovoltaic stack of less than 130 nm formed on a grooved surface (e.g., approximately 300 nm in depth). The nano device exhibited a significant increase in magnitude of current density in the desired voltage range. Note that the results provided in  FIG. 4  are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , another embodiment shows tandem photovoltaic junction structures  450  and  460  in accordance with the present principles. An additional stack  460  (or junction) may be formed on the structure depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Each structure  450 ,  460  includes a functional combination of light absorbing layers (e.g., layers  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and/or layers  204 ,  206  and  208 ). In a tandem configuration as shown, the structures preferably form about a 90 degree angle between the bottom of the grooves and the sidewalls of the structures since the sunlight or radiation can be equally absorbed by both layers  450  and  460 . 
         [0043]    Stack  460  forms a second junction stack on the junction stack  450 . The stacks  450  and  460  may include, e.g., structure  100  and/or  200  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . It should be understood that a greater number of junction stacks may be employed. The addition of stacks increases the open circuit voltage (V oc ) of the device and assists in maximizing its value. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a method for forming a photovoltaic device in accordance with one embodiment is illustratively shown. In block  502 , a substrate layer is provided. In attempting to reduce cost, the present principles prefer the use of a non-semiconductor substrate layer material. For example, the substrate may include glass, a polymer, a metal, etc. In block  504 , a plurality of grooves is formed in a substrate layer. The grooves preferably include a depth of less than about two microns. Larger dimensions may be employed; however, the active layers are preferably nanoscale and a depth of about micron is preferable. In block  505 , the grooves may be formed by mechanically cutting or abrading the grooves in the substrate layer. This may include micron or nanoscale cutting tools which may be raked across the surface of the substrate layer. Other methods include using 3D structuring such as embossing, stamping, molding, etc. In block  506 , the grooves or portions thereof may be formed by chemically etching the grooves in the substrate layer. This may include a photolithographic masking and etching of the surface of the substrate layer. In block  507 , the plurality of grooves may be formed in at least two transverse directions (e.g., to form diamond shaped islands, rectangular islands, pillars, etc.). In block  508 , other processing may be performed such as etching or polishing to further shape the substrate layer. 
         [0045]    In block  509 , back reflective material or a transparent conductive material may be formed on the substrate layer before a continuous photovoltaic stack is formed. In block  510 , a continuous photovoltaic stack is formed including an N-type layer, a P-type layer and an intrinsic layer therebetween. The stack conforms to a surface of the substrate layer and the plurality of grooves such that the continuous photovoltaic stack follows peaks and valleys in the substrate layer. The photovoltaic stack includes at least one of amorphous silicon, micro-crystalline silicon and silicon carbide, although other suitable materials may be employed. These materials may be properly doped using known methods. The intrinsic layer is undoped. 
         [0046]    In block  520 , back reflective material or a transparent conductive material may be formed on the continuous photovoltaic stack. In block  522 , optional processing may include forming one or more additional continuous photovoltaic stacks on the continuous photovoltaic stack already formed. This increases open circuit voltage for the device and may further improve performance. 
         [0047]    In block  524 , light loss is reduced during operation by employing geometry of the plurality of grooves to absorb light laterally reflected from sides of the grooves. Light loss may be further reduced by employing multiple photovoltaic stacks. 
         [0048]    Having described preferred embodiments of efficient nanoscale solar cell and fabrication method (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments disclosed which are within the scope of the invention as outlined by the appended claims. Having thus described aspects of the invention, with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

Technology Category: h