Thin film coating pinning arrangement

Abstract

In one aspect of the present invention, a photovoltaic cell for use in a solar collector is described. The photovoltaic cell includes two electrically conductive layers that are positioned on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The first conductive layer is adhered to and in direct contact with a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second conductive layer has a different composition from and is substantially more electrically conductive than the first conductive layer. There are multiple spaced apart pinning regions that are distributed through an interface between the first and second conductive layers. The pinning regions, help locally anchor the two layers. Some aspects of the present invention relate to the use of pinning regions in other types of optical or electrical components.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 329,482, filed Apr. 29, 2010, entitled “Reflective Coating,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to the use of pinning regions to help adhere a thin film layer of an optical or electrical device to an adjacent layer or substrate. One particular application relates to the use of pinning regions in the reflector of a concentrating solar energy collector to help adhere a thin film reflective layer to a supporting surface. In other applications, similar pinning regions may be used in other types of optical or electrical components such as photovoltaic cells, mirrors, reflectors, windows, etc.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Typically, the most expensive component of a photovoltaic (PV) solar collection system is the photovoltaic cell. To help conserve photovoltaic material...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The present invention relates to the use of pinning regions to strengthen the adhesive bond between different layers of an optical or electrical component such that the likelihood of cracking or delamination is significantly reduced.

[0005]In one aspect of the present invention, a photovoltaic cell for use in a solar collector is described. The photovoltaic cell includes two electrically conductive layers that are positioned on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The first conductive layer is adhered to and in direct contact with a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second conductive layer has a different composition from and is substantially more electrically conductive than the first conductive layer. There are multiple spaced apart pinning regions that are distributed through an interface between the first and second conductive layers. The pinning regions, help locally anchor the two layers. The adhesive strength of the pinning regions to the second conductive layer is greater than the adhesive strength of the first conductive layer to the second conductive layer.

Problems solved by technology

Typically, the most expensive component of a photovoltaic (PV) solar collection system is the photovoltaic cell.

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