Microstructuring of polymer surfaces on optical spacers allows formation of reflective light traps. Such flexible reflectors can be combined with flexible polymer solar cells. We have demonstrated enhanced absorption using Lambertian and regular light reflectors, demonstrated via luminescence from fluorescent layers. Such light traps are suitable to use in combination with polymer solar cells incorporating transparent electrodes. The possibility to enhance the concentration of excited states and photogenerated charges through light trapping also helps to increase charge carrier mobility.
These experimental results indicate that light confinement may be an alternative approach for boosting the efficiency of thin film conjugated polymer photovoltaics.
We present a new method that allows to fabricate structures with tightly controlled three-dimensional profiles in the 10 nm to 100 μm scale range. This consists of a sequence of lithographic steps such as Electron Beam (EB) or Focused Ion Beam (FIB) lithography, alternated with isotropic wet etching processes performed on a quartz substrate. Morphological characterization by SEM and AFM shows that 3D structures with very accurate shape control and nanometer scale surface roughness can be realized. Quartz templates have been employed as complex system of micromirrors after metal coating of the patterned surface or used as stamps in nanoimprint, hot embossing or casting processes to shape complex plastic elements. Compared to other 3D micro and nanostructuring methods, in which a hard material is directly "sculptured" by energetic beams, our technique requires a much less intensive use of expensive lithographic equipments, for comparable volumes of structured material, resulting in dramatic increase of throughput. Refractive micro-optical elements have been fabricated and characterized in transmission and reflection modes with white and monochromatic light. The elements produce a distribution of sharp focal spots and lines in the three dimensional space, opening the route for applications of image reconstruction based on refractive optics.
We introduce simple double-casting replication methods for high-aspect-ratio microstructures fabricated by deep x-ray lithography using intermediate molds of soft materials. Two types of soft material are investigated. The ability to fabricate polymethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds with well-type structures with aspect ratios up to 35:1 is demonstrated for structure densities below 50%, and the reproduction from this mold of pillar-type polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) structures with aspect ratios of 20:1 is achieved. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a water soluble polymer, is also tested as a sacrificial intermediate mold and successfully used for the replication of structures with aspect ratios up to 5:1. Double-casting replication methods are described and discussed for their potential improvement.
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