Tetrahedral chalcopyrite quantum dots for solar-cell applications

Chalcopyrite structures are candidates for efficient intermediate-band solar cells in thin-film technology. Here, we examine a material combination of CuInSe(2) dots embedded in CuGaS(2) matrix and show that epitaxial growth leads to distinctive tetrahedral nanostructures. Our model calculations provide us with the optimal nanodot size to reach the maximum efficiency-in principle up to 61%. The optimal quantum dot satisfies the known physical constraints, and it is in excellent qualitative agreement with our grown samples. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3640225]