In this contribution, we present a new certified world record efficiency of 20.1 and 20.3% for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-film solar cells. We analyse the characteristics of solar cells on such a performance level and demonstrate a high degree of reproducibility. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

New world record efficiency for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin‐film solar cells beyond 20%

Since the discovery of superconductivity above 30 K by Bednorz and M\"uller in the La copper oxide system, the critical temperature has been raised to 90 K in Y${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ and to 110 and 125 K in Bi-based and Tl-based copper oxides, respectively. In the two years since this Nobel-prize-winning discovery, a large number of electronic structure calculations have been carried out as a first step in understanding the electronic properties of these materials. In this paper these calculations (mostly of the density-functional type) are gathered and reviewed, and their results are compared with the relevant experimental data. The picture that emerges is one in which the important electronic states are dominated by the copper $d$ and oxygen $p$ orbitals, with strong hybridization between them. Photon, electron, and positron spectroscopies provide important information about the electronic states, and comparison with electronic structure calculations indicates that, while many features can be interpreted in terms of existing calculations, self-energy corrections ("correlations") are important for a more detailed understanding. The antiferromagnetism that occurs in some regions of the phase diagram poses a particularly challenging problem for any detailed theory. The study of structural stability, lattice dynamics, and electron-phonon coupling in the copper oxides is also discussed. Finally, a brief review is given of the attempts so far to identify interaction constants appropriate for a model Hamiltonian treatment of many-body interactions in these materials.

Electronic structure of the high-temperature oxide superconductors

Premises of creation of Internet portal designed to provide access to participants of educational and scientific process for the joint creation, consolidation, concentration and rapid spreading of educational and scientific information resources in its own depository are considered. CMS-based portal content management systems’ potentiality is investigated. Architecture for Internet portal of MES of Ukraine’s information resources is offered.

Створення порталу інформаційно-довідкових ресурсів міністерства освіти і науки україни

Solar photovoltaic electricity: Current status and future prospects

The discovery of 30-K superconductivity in the La–Ba–Cu–O system1 and 90-K superconductivity in the Y–Ba–Cu–O system2 stimulated a worldwide search for even higher-temperature superconductors. Unfortunately, most of the higher-temperature transitions reported in the past year have proved to be unstable, irreproducible, or not due to bulk superconductivity3–7. Recently, we and co-workers8,9 reported superconductivity above 90 K in a new Tl–Ba–Cu–O system, and pointed out that elemental substitutions in this system may lead to even higher-temperature superconductivity. Here we report stable and reproducible bulk superconductivity with an onset at 120 K and zero resistance above 100 K in the Tl–Ca/Ba–Cu–O system. This transition temperature is much higher than those observed for typical rare-earth-containing superconductors, and the onset temperatures are comparable to that in the Bi–Ca/Sr–Cu–O system, as reported in refs 10 and 11 (received after submission of this paper).

Bulk superconductivity at 120 K in the Tl-Ca/Ba-Cu-O system

The initial discovery by Bednorz and Muller1 of 35-K superconductivity in the La-Ba-Cu-O system has stimulated worldwide activity in searching for higher-temperature superconductors. Elemental substitution has proved to be most effective in raising transition temperature. Substitution of Sr for Ba has produced 40-K superconductivity2–5and substitution of Y for La has produced a new high-temperature superconductor with transition temperature above liquid-nitrogen temperature6. A class of superconducting compounds of the form RBa2Cu307-x has been explored by further substitutions of other rare earths (Y is considered in the rare-earth [RI category here) for Y7-13. To date, a rare earth, an alkaline earth, copper and oxygen have been required for all high-temperature superconductors14,15. (Zhanget al 14reported 90-K superconductivity in the Th-Ba-Pb(Zr)-Cu-O system. Panetal15reported 50-K superconductivity in the Y-Ba-Ag-O system. As Th is a member of the actinide series which belongs to the same Group 3B in the periodic table as the lanthanide series and Ag belongs to the same Group 1B as Cu, high-temperature supercon-ductors are still thought to be closed in the Group 3B—Group 2A-Group 1B—oxygen system. ) Only partial substitutions ha. e led to superconductors, but with no significant rise of transition tem-perature (the only exception is 40-K superconductivity in La2CuO4-x , refs 16, 17). Here we report superconductivity in the rare-earth-free TI-Ba-Cu-O system. We have obsened sharp drops of resistance starting above 90 K with zero resistance at 81 K in this system. Magnetic measurements have confirmed that these sharp drops of resistance in the TI-Ba-Cu-O samples origi-nate from superconductivity. The samples are stable in air for at least two months, and their preparation is easily reproduced.

Superconductivity in the rare-earth-free Tl–Ba–Cu–O system above liquid-nitrogen temperature

In, Ga, and Se were coevaporated to form precursor films of (Inx,Ga1−x)2Se3. The precursors were then converted to CuInxGa1−xSe2 by exposure to a flux of Cu and Se. The final films were smooth, with tightly packed grains, and had a graded Ga content as a function of film depth. Photovoltaic devices made from these films showed good tolerance in device efficiency to variations in film composition. A device made from these films resulted in the highest total‐area efficiency measured for any non‐single‐crystal, thin‐film solar cell, at 15.9%.

High-efficiency cuinxga1-xse2 solar cells made from (inx,ga1-x)2se3 precursor films

Two superconducting phases, ${\mathrm{Tl}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Ca}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{10+\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ (2223) and ${\mathrm{Tl}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Ca}}_{1}$${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}$${)}_{8+\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ (2122), both with onset ${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$ near 120 K and zero resistivity at 100 K, have been isolated from samples in the Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O system. The new 2223 superconductor has a 5.40\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}5.40\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}36.25-A${\mathrm{\r{}}}^{3}$ pseudotetragonal unit cell. The 2122 superconductor, which appears to be structurally related to ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaSr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8+\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$, has a 5.44\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}5.44\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}29.55-A${\mathrm{\r{}}}^{3}$ pseudotetragonal subcell. The 2223 phase is probably related to 2122 by the addition of extra calcium and copper layers.

100-K superconducting phases in the Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O system.

Stable and reproducible superconductivity has been unambiguously observed in a new Tl-Ba-Cu-O system containing no group-IIIB elements. Resistance in these rare-earth--free oxides starts to drop sharply above 90 K and reaches zero at 81 K. Meissner flux expulsion and diamagnetic shielding show bulk superconductivity. Further substitutions of elements for this system may lead to even higher-temperature superconductors.

Allen M. Hermann

Papers

Bulk superconductivity at 120 K in the Tl-Ca/Ba-Cu-O system

Superconductivity in the rare-earth-free Tl–Ba–Cu–O system above liquid-nitrogen temperature

High-efficiency cuinxga1-xse2 solar cells made from (inx,ga1-x)2se3 precursor films

100-K superconducting phases in the Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O system.

Superconductivity at 90 K in the Tl-Ba-Cu-O system.