Transparent Conducting Oxide Films with High Refractive Index

70330 Transparent conducting oxide (TCO) films have been an essential component in various thin film solar cells. However, the film¿s low refractive index (e.g., ZnO film has a refractive index <2.0 at 632.8 nm), sometimes limits the performance of these devices. This project will develop highly refractive index TCO films using a Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposition (CCVD) process. CCVD enables fabrication of thin film materials with desired optical, electrical, and structural properties at low cost. Phase I will address fundamental issues in a multifunctional material having considerable technical and commercial relevance. Phase II will further optimize the films¿ properties, improve uniformity and repeatability, conduct computer modeling, and build electro-optical devices. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new films should lead to a new class of optoelectronic and photonic materials and devices and improve device performance in amorphous silicon solar cells (e.g., as front electrode and antireflection layer).