Laminate structure with embedded cavities for use with solar cells and related method of manufacture

Abstract

An integrated laminate structure adapted for application in the context of solar technology, including a first carrier element, optionally including optically substantially transparent material enabling light transmission therethrough, a second carrier element provided with at least one surface relief pattern including a number of surface relief forms and having at least one predetermined optical function relative to incident light, the second carrier element including optically substantially transparent material enabling light transmission therethrough, the first and second carrier elements being laminated together such that the at least one surface relief pattern has been embedded within the established laminate structure and a number of related cavities have been formed at the interface of the first and second carrier elements. An applicable method of manufacture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 61 / 282,818 filed 6 Apr. 2010, the entire contents of the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]Generally the invention pertains to optics. In particular, however not exclusively, the invention concerns laminate structures with embedded, optically functional cavities and manufacturing thereof in the context of solar technology.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Traditionally microstructures, such as microprisms or gratings of different optics-containing devices such as lighting apparatuses and electronic apparatuses have been exclusively produced on surface areas of optically transparent substrates. These structures may have been originally configured to (re)direct, couple or otherwise interact with the incident light in a certain predetermined manner, but positioning thereof on the surface of the material has typically cause...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Thereby, an objective of embodiments of the invention is to alleviate one or more problems described hereinabove not yet satisfactorily addressed by the current arrangements, and to provide a feasible alternative for producing various functional structures, such as optically functional structures, suitable for use in the context of solar technology.

[0039]The utility of embodiments of the invention generally arises from a plurality of issues depending on each particular embodiment. First of all, both simple and very complex high performance, integrated nano- or micro-scale structures with various functionalities, such as optical structures, may be embedded within a laminate structure including at least two elements defining at least two layers attached together. The utilized lamination technique may typically be selected so that the attachment is secure and / or there substantially remain no (unintended) gaps between the laminated elements. Further integrated elements, layers or coatings may be provided on any side of the obtained laminate. In most embodiments, the laminate structure may be manufactured with a relatively simple and low cost industrial scale method. Yet, the embedded structures of the laminate may remain protected from external impulses and contamination. A service life of the related products may be extended and many of them may be practically maintenance-free.

[0040]Also, multilevel / layer embedded structures may be easily constructed. Internal light-trapping structures utilizing e.g. specific geometrics, refractive indexes and / or materials may be provided for internally reflecting light. Light capture layers effectively capturing and collimating light with a wide range of incident angles may be implemented. The laminate may be applied, in addition to the context of solar energy, integrated electronics, semiconductors, (bio)medical systems, tribological systems, windows, such as window lighting, green house illumination, advertising, security applications, automotive and generally vehicle industry, street lighting, general lighting and various signs or plates, such as traffic signs and luminous tags, for instance.

Problems solved by technology

However, this summary is not intended to specifically identify the sole important or, in particular, essential features of the claimed subject matter and thus limit the claimed subject matter's scope.

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