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'Inverse Opal' Structure Enhances Solar Cell Efficiency

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Photonic crystals with an "inverse opal" structure could increase the light-trapping capability of thin-film solar cells and help bring about lower-cost solar energy. Researchers at Purdue University’s Birck Nanotechnology Center and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering used the 3-D crystals to improve thin-film light absorption compared with conventional thin-film cells. Illustrations (a) through (d) depict the creation of 3-D photonic crystals. The "inverse opal" structure is formed by treating the crystals with hydrofluoric acid (d). Scanning electron microscope...Read full article

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    Published: January 2014
    Glossary
    nano
    An SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other structures and particles on the nanometer scale. Nano-optics (also referred to as nanophotonics), for example, is the study of how light and light-matter interactions behave on the nanometer scale. See nanophotonics.
    photonic crystals
    Photonic crystals are artificial structures or materials designed to manipulate and control the flow of light in a manner analogous to how semiconductors control the flow of electrons. Photonic crystals are often engineered to have periodic variations in their refractive index, leading to bandgaps that prevent certain wavelengths of light from propagating through the material. These bandgaps are similar in principle to electronic bandgaps in semiconductors. Here are some key points about...
    AmericasBirck Nanotechnology CenterenergyGreenLightMaterialsnanoOpticsPeter Bermelphotonic crystalsPurdue UniversityResearch & TechnologySolar Energythin-film solar cellsWafersSchool of Electrical and Computer Engineeringinverse opal

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