High efficient photovoltaics in nanoscaled ferroelectric thin films

Photovoltaic effect in ferroelectric thin films with thickness below 100 nm was investigated through both theoretical and experimental approaches. Unprecedented high photovoltaic power conversion efficiency around similar to 0.28% was achieved with epitaxial (Pb0.97La0.03)(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3 ferroelectric thin films, which is about 2 orders of magnitude higher than the reported in literature for ferroelectrics. Theoretical analysis indicated that efficiency can be further significantly improved by reducing the thickness in nanoscale. Extremely high efficient bulk photovoltaic effect is predicted in high quality ferroelectric ultrathin films. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.