Approaches for fabricating one-dimensional metallization for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a back surface and an opposing light-receiving surface. A plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the back surface of the substrate and parallel along a first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of emitter regions for the solar cell. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of metal lines corresponding to the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The plurality of metal lines is parallel along the first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of a metallization layer for the solar cell.

In a back contact type solar cell in which an impurity diffusion layer where second conductive type impurities are diffused is formed on a back surface, as a non-light receiving surface, of a first conductive type semiconductor substrate, and an electrode in contact with the impurity diffusion layer is provided, a surface concentration of the impurities in the impurity diffusion layer is not less than 510.sup.17 atms/cm.sup.3 and not more than 510.sup.19 atms/cm.sup.3, and a diffusion depth of the impurities in the impurity diffusion layer is not smaller than 1 m and not larger than 2.9 m from a top of the back surface. It is thereby possible to provide a high efficiency back contact type solar cell which can be manufactured by a simple method at low cost.

A method and apparatus for determining a presence of a microorganism in a sample is provided. The method includes storing electrophysiological and/or impedance signatures of a plurality of microorganisms in a memory of a processor. The method also includes obtaining a sample and generating an electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample. The electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample is compared with the electrophysiological and/or impedance signatures in the memory. A presence of one of the plurality of microorganisms in the sample is then identified based on a correlation between the electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample and the electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the one of the plurality of microorganisms. A method is also provided for determining a growth stage of a microorganism in a sample.

A solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate; at least one conductive type region on the semiconductor substrate; a protective layer on the at least one conductive type region; and an electrode disposed on the protective layer and electrically connected to the conductive type region.

Methods and apparatus for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells are provided. A photovoltaic (PV) device generally includes a window layer; an absorber layer disposed below the window layer such that electrons are generated when photons travel through the window layer and are absorbed by the absorber layer; and a plurality of contacts for external connection coupled to the absorber layer, such that all of the contacts for external connection are disposed below the absorber layer and do not block any of the photons from reaching the absorber layer through the window layer. Locating all the contacts on the back side of the PV device avoids solar shadows caused by front side contacts, typically found in conventional solar cells. Therefore, PV devices described herein with back side contacts may allow for increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells.

A method for manufacturing a solar cell, including the steps of: forming unevenness on both of main surfaces of a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; forming a base layer on a first main surface of the semiconductor substrate; forming a diffusion mask on the base layer; removing the diffusion mask in a pattern; forming an emitter layer on the portion of the first main surface where the diffusion mask have been removed; removing the remaining diffusion mask; forming a dielectric film on the first main surface; forming a base electrode on the base layer; and forming an emitter electrode on the emitter layer.

Methods for forming interdigitated back contact solar cells from III-V materials are provided. According to an aspect of the invention, a method includes depositing a patterned Zn layer to cover first areas of an n-type emitter region, wherein the emitter region comprises a III-V material, and forming a passivated back contact region by counter-doping the first areas of the emitter region by diffusing Zn from the patterned Zn layer into the first areas of the emitter region, such that the first areas of the emitter region become p-type.

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.

Methods of forming interdigitated back contact (IBC) layers are provided. According to an aspect of the invention, a first layer having alternating regions of n-type amorphous hydrogenated silicon and p-type amorphous hydrogenated silicon is formed on a second layer of intrinsic amorphous hydrogenated silicon. The first layer and the second layer are then annealed, such that dopants from the first layer diffuse into the second layer, and the first layer and the second layer crystallize into polysilicon.

A solar cell includes a first processed optically transparent (transparent) substrate and a second processed transparent substrate, wherein at least one of the first processed transparent substrate and second processed transparent substrate includes at least one electrode thereon. At least one solar absorber material substrate having a first side and a second side is between the first and second processed transparent substrates. The solar absorber material substrate is bonded by an adhesiveless bonded interface on both the first side and the second side to the first and second processed transparent substrates.