PERFECTED PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE, PROCESS FOR ITS FORMATION AND PERFECTED ELECTRODE

摘要

Open circuit voltage enhancement of photovoltaic devices (10) and electrophotochemical cell electrodes (74) is made possible by adding a thin insulating layer (16, 80) to the semiconductor bodies (13, 76) of the devices. The insulating layer may be added between semiconductor layers of different conductivity within the active photoresponsive regions of the bodies. The bodies may be formed from an amorphous silicon alloy containing fluorine, and preferably hydrogen. The fluorine acts as a compensating or altering eiement to reduce the density of states in the energy gap thereof. The semiconductor bodies may be also formed trom crystalline or polycrystalline semiconductor materials as well. Also disclosed is an electrode for use in an electrophotochemical cell, which electrode includes an insulating layer (80) over the semiconductor electrode body (76) in accordance with the present invention. The insulating layer enhances the open circuit voltage of the devices without affecting short circuit current to increase the efficiency of the devices.