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

Magnetization of the 120-K Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O superconductor.

A new high temperature superconductor with transition temperature above 120 K is disclosed. The superconductor in a preferred embodiment comprises T1RBaCuO wherein R is chosen from Group 2A elements excluding Ba. In another preferred embodiment, the superconductor comprises T1SrCuO. Processes for making high temperature superconductors are also disclosed.

High temperature T1-Ba-Ca-Cu-O and T1-Sr-Cu-O superconductor

Bulk Superconductivity at 120 K in the Tl‐Ca/Ba‐Cu‐O System.

Room temperature spectroscopic ellipsometry measurement of Cu0.86In1.09Se2.05 reveals that shallow defect states are found in the sub-band-gap region. The energies of these defect levels are in quantitative agreement with those calculated and measured by photoluminescence, electrical conductivity, optical absorption, and deep level transient spectroscopy at low temperatures. The results can be explained in terms of the defect physics of this material and suggest that the defect levels are due to Cu deficiency. This work opens up the possibility of measuring defect levels of off-stoichiometric or heavily doped semiconductors by spectroscopic ellipsometry at room temperature.

Effect of Cu deficiency on the defect levels of Cu0.86In1.09Se2.05 determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry

A class of melt-produced, high temperature suerpconductors and processes of making same are provided. The superconductor has a preferred composition of R-Ba-Cu-O wherein R is chosen from the group of rare earth metals excluding: Praseodyium; Cerium; and Terbium. The process is carried out at a relatively low temperature of about 950° C., and the process allows fabrication of melt-produced high temperature superconductors of arbitrary shape. The process is based on the reaction between molten barium-copper oxides and solid rare earth oxides, rare earth barium oxides, rare earth copper oxides, or rare earth barium-copper oxides. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: mixing and grinding BaCO3 and CuO with other nominal compositions; pressing the resultant mixture into a pellet, if necessary; placing the pellet or powder on a pellet or powder that can include rare earth copper oxides; heating the pellet and/or powders to a temperature of approximately 950° C.; and removing a melt-produced superconductor from the remaining powder or pellet.

Allen M. Hermann

Papers

Magnetization of the 120-K Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O superconductor.

High temperature T1-Ba-Ca-Cu-O and T1-Sr-Cu-O superconductor

Bulk Superconductivity at 120 K in the Tl‐Ca/Ba‐Cu‐O System.

Effect of Cu deficiency on the defect levels of Cu0.86In1.09Se2.05 determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry

Melt-produced high temperature rare earth barium copper oxide superconductor and processes for making same