Solar Cells: Optoelectronic Enhancement of Ultrathin CuIn_1–xGa_xSe₂ Solar Cells by Nanophotonic Contacts (Advanced Optical Materials 5/2017)

Nanophotonic contacts, which increase the efficiency of ultrathin CuIn1−xGaxSe2 (CIGSe) solar cells by guiding solar photons into the semiconductor layer where they can be absorbed and converted into useful energy, are developed by Martina Schmid and co-workers in article number 1600637. The new contact, consisting of a silica nanoparticle array on indium tin oxide, works by providing extra momentum to photons near the bandgap, while simultaneously improving electrical transport at the back contact. Cover image designed in collaboration with Ricardo Struik.