title: Self-patterned nanoparticle layers for vertical interconnects: application in tandem solar cells.
abstract: We demonstrate self-patterned insulating nanoparticle layers to define local electrical interconnects in thin-film electronic devices. We show this with thin-film silicon tandem solar cells, where we introduce between the two component cells a solution-processed SiO2 nanoparticle layer with local openings to allow for charge transport. Because of its low refractive index, high transparency, and smooth surface, the SiO2 nanoparticle layer acts as an excellent intermediate reflector allowing for efficient light management.
authors.affiliation: Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory (PV-Lab), Institute of Microengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , Rue de la Maladière 71, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Bjoern
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Niesen
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Blondiaux
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boccard
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stuckelberger
authors.forename: Raphaël
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pugin
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scolan
authors.forename: Fanny
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meillaud
authors.forename: Franz-Josef
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Haug
authors.forename: Aïcha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hessler-Wyser
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ballif
keywords: Photovoltaics; dewetting; micromorph; multijunction; planarization; self-assembly