An avalanche photodiode (APD) sensor includes a photoelectric conversion region disposed in a substrate and that converts light incident to a first side of the substrate into electric charge, and a cathode region disposed at a second side of the substrate. The second side is opposite the first side. The APD sensor includes an anode region disposed at the second side of the substrate, a first region of a first conductivity type disposed in the substrate, and a second region of a second conductivity type disposed in the substrate. The second conductivity type is different than the first conductivity type. In a cross-sectional view, the first region and the second region are between the photoelectric conversion region and the second side of the substrate. In the cross-sectional view, an interface between the first region and the second region has an uneven pattern.

A semiconductor substrate (1) having an active region (2) and a first surface and a second surface facing each other. A first type of passivating layer (5) is present for providing an electrical contact of a first conductivity type on a part of the first surface of the semiconductor substrate (1). A dielectric layer (4) is provided between the first type of passivating layer (5) and an active region (2) of the semiconductor substrate (1). Doping of the first conductivity type is provided in a layer (3) of the active region (2) of the semiconductor substrate (1) near the first surface. The lateral dopant level in the layer (3) of the active region (2) near the first surface is substantially uniform.

A solar cell can have a first dielectric formed over a first doped region of a silicon substrate. The solar cell can have a second dielectric formed over a second doped region of the silicon substrate, where the first dielectric is a different type of dielectric than the second dielectric. A doped semiconductor can be formed over the first and second dielectric. A positive-type metal and a negative-type metal can be formed over the doped semiconductor.

A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes providing a substrate. A layer is deposited to form one or more layers of a photovoltaic stack on the substrate. The depositing of the amorphous layer includes performing a high power flash deposition for depositing a first portion of the layer. A low power deposition is performed for depositing a second portion of the layer.

An electromagnetic radiation detection device comprises a matrix having a plurality of N rows divided into a plurality of M columns of cells, each cell comprising a plurality of diode segments responsive to electromagnetic radiation incident on said device. A scan driver provides a plurality of N scan line signals to respective rows of said matrix, each for enabling charge values from cells of a selected row of said matrix to be read. A reader reads a plurality of M variable charge value signals from respective columns of said matrix, each corresponding to a cell within a selected row of said matrix. Each diode segment is connected to a drive voltage sufficient to operate each diode segment in avalanche multiplication Geiger mode; and connected in series with an avalanche quenching resistor to said reader.

A solar cell includes polysilicon P-type and N-type doped regions on a backside of a substrate, such as a silicon wafer. A trench structure separates the P-type doped region from the N-type doped region. Each of the P-type and N-type doped regions may be formed over a thin dielectric layer. The trench structure may include a textured surface for increased solar radiation collection. Among other advantages, the resulting structure increases efficiency by providing isolation between adjacent P-type and N-type doped regions, thereby preventing recombination in a space charge region where the doped regions would have touched.

A solar cell includes a photoelectric conversion layer, a doped layer, a first passivation layer, a first TCO layer, a front electrode and a back electrode. The doped layer is disposed on the front surface of the photoelectric conversion layer. The first passivation layer is disposed on the doped layer, wherein the first passivation layer has a plurality of openings exposing a portion of the doped layer. The first TCO layer is disposed on the first passivation layer and in the openings, and directly contacts the exposed doped layer via the openings, wherein a ratio of an area of the openings to an area of the first TCO layer is between 0.01 and 0.5. The front electrode is disposed on the first TCO layer. The back electrode is disposed on the back surface of the photoelectric conversion layer.

Disclosed is a solar cell including a control passivation film on one surface of a semiconductor substrate, and being formed of a dielectric material; and a semiconductor layer on the control passivation film, wherein the semiconductor layer including a first conductive region having a first conductive type and a second conductive region having a second conductive type opposite to the first conductive type. The semiconductor substrate includes a diffusion region including at least one of a first diffusion region and a second diffusion region adjacent to the control passivation film, wherein the first diffusion region being locally formed to correspond to the first conductive region and having a doping concentration lower than a doping concentration of the first conductive region, wherein the second diffusion region being locally formed to correspond to the second conductive region and having a doping concentration lower than a doping concentration of the second conductive region.

A method and system for optoelectronic receivers utilizing waveguide heterojunction phototransistors (HPTs) integrated in a wafer are disclosed and may include receiving optical signals via optical fibers operably coupled to a top surface of the chip. Electrical signals may be generated utilizing HPTs that detect the optical signals. The electrical signals may be amplified via voltage amplifiers, or transimpedance amplifiers, the outputs of which may be utilized to bias the HPTs by a feedback network. The optical signals may be coupled into opposite ends of the HPTs. A collector of the HPTs may comprise a silicon layer and a germanium layer, a base may comprise a silicon germanium alloy with germanium composition ranging from 70% to 100%, and an emitter including crystalline or poly Si or SiGe.

A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes providing a substrate. A layer is deposited to form one or more layers of a photovoltaic stack on the substrate. The depositing of the amorphous layer includes performing a high power flash deposition for depositing a first portion of the layer. A low power deposition is performed for depositing a second portion of the layer.