Copper oxide photocathodes: Laser experiment reveals location of efficiency loss

Solar cells and photocathodes made of copper oxide might in theory attain high efficiencies for solar energy conversion. In practice, however, large losses occur. Now researchers has been able to use a sophisticated femtosecond laser experiment to determine where these losses take place: not so much at the interfaces, but instead far more in the interior of the crystalline material. These results provide indications on how to improve copper oxide and other metal oxides for applications as energy materials.

from Top Technology News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2Yg7cuv