Prior art

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 9666732, I will examine the patent citations listed in the patent itself.

The publication date of US9666732B2 is May 30, 2017, and its filing date is August 19, 2015.

Here are some of the most relevant prior art references cited in US9666732B2, along with their publication/filing dates, a brief description, and which claims they potentially anticipate:

1. U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/171,194

• Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Application entitled "High-Efficiency Solar Cell Structures and Methods of Manufacture," filed Apr. 21, 2009, and assigned application No. 61/171,194.
• Publication/Filing Date: April 21, 2009
• Brief Description: This is the foundational provisional application from which US9666732B2 claims benefit. It covers high-efficiency solar cell structures and methods of manufacture.
• Potential Anticipation: This provisional application likely anticipates all claims of US9666732B2, as it serves as the priority document and contains the initial disclosure of the invention.

2. U.S. Ser. No. 13/265,462

• Full Citation: U.S. Ser. No. 13/265,462, filed Oct. 20, 2011, entitled “High-Efficiency Solar Cell Structures and Methods of Manufacture”.
• Publication/Filing Date: October 20, 2011
• Brief Description: This is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 13/265,462, which itself claims benefit from the provisional application 61/171,194. It also describes high-efficiency solar cell structures and methods of manufacture.
• Potential Anticipation: As a direct lineage application, it likely anticipates all claims, similar to the provisional application, as it is part of the same patent family and continues the prosecution of the disclosed subject matter.

3. U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/171,187

• Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Application entitled “Method for Forming Structures in a Solar Cell,” filed 21 Apr. 2009 and assigned application No. 61/171,187.
• Publication/Filing Date: April 21, 2009
• Brief Description: This provisional application focuses on methods for forming structures in a solar cell, including metallization techniques. The patent states that metallization for any of its disclosed structures can be formed in accordance with this application.
• Potential Anticipation: This reference could potentially anticipate claims related to the methods of metallization and the formation of specific structures within the solar cell, particularly any claims describing the formation of conductive contacts or patterns (e.g., those involving laser ablation or localized laser-assisted conversion of functional films).

4. International Patent Application No. PCT/US2010/123976

• Full Citation: Commonly-assigned, co-filed International Patent Application entitled “Method for Forming Structures in a Solar Cell,” assigned application number PCT/US2010/123976.
• Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated as a separate filing date in the provided text, but co-filed with the U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/171,187. The priority date for related PCT/US2010/031869 is April 21, 2009.
• Brief Description: This international application details methods for forming structures in solar cells, including specific metallization techniques, which are incorporated by reference into US9666732B2.
• Potential Anticipation: Similar to the provisional application 61/171,187, this PCT application could anticipate claims related to metallization methods and the formation of conductive contact patterns.

5. U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/171,491

• Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Application entitled “Localized Metal Contacts By Localized Laser Assisted Reduction Of Metal-Ions In Functional Films, And Solar Cell Applications Thereof,” filed 22 Apr. 2009 and assigned application No. 61/171,491.
• Publication/Filing Date: April 22, 2009
• Brief Description: This provisional application focuses on forming localized metal contacts using laser-assisted reduction of metal-ions in functional films for solar cell applications.
• Potential Anticipation: This reference could potentially anticipate claims related to methods of forming electrical contacts in a solar cell layer by selectively modifying material upon laser irradiation, and where a remaining region forms a functional layer.

6. International Patent Application No. PCT/US2010/031881

• Full Citation: Commonly-assigned, co-filed International Patent Application entitled “Localized Metal Contacts By Localized Laser Assisted Conversion Of Functional Films In Solar Cells,” assigned application number PCT/US2010/031881.
• Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated as a separate filing date in the provided text, but co-filed with the U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/171,491. The priority date for related PCT/US2010/031869 is April 21, 2009.
• Brief Description: This international application describes forming localized metal contacts through laser-assisted conversion of functional films in solar cells.
• Potential Anticipation: Similar to the provisional application 61/171,491, this PCT application could anticipate claims directed to methods of forming localized electrical contacts using laser-assisted conversion.

It's important to note that the patent itself states that "Each of these Applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety," indicating that their content is considered part of the disclosure of US9666732B2. This would mean they are highly relevant for a 35 U.S.C. § 102 anticipation analysis.