Reverse stack structures for thin-film photovoltaic cells

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method includes depositing a photoactive layer onto a first substrate, depositing a contact layer onto the photoactive layer, attaching a second substrate onto the contact layer, and removing the first substrate from the photoactive layer, contact layer, and second substrate.

1 . A photovoltaic cell comprising:
 a substrate;   a conducting layer deposited onto the substrate;   a buffer layer disposed on the conducting layer, the buffer layer including an n-type semiconductor material; and   a photoactive layer deposited onto the buffer layer.   
     
     
         2 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the n-type semiconductor material comprises Mo. 
     
     
         3 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the n-type semiconductor comprises one or more of S or Se. 
     
     
         4 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , further comprising a contact layer deposited onto the photoactive layer. 
     
     
         5 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of wires formed in a plurality of recessed portions of the substrate, the plurality of wires being electrically connected to the conducting layer. 
     
     
         6 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of wires formed in a plurality of recessed portions of the conducting layer.