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Microelectronics integration continuously follows the trend of miniaturisation for which the technologies enabling fine pitch interconnection are in high demand. The recent advancement in the assembly of Hybrid Pixel Detectors, a high resolution detecting and imaging device, is an example of where novel materials and processes can be applied for ultra-fine pitch interconnections. For this application, indium is often used for the fine pitch bump bonding process due to its unique properties that make it especially suitable, in particular in a cryogenic environment where some types of detector have to serve. Indium bumps are typically fabricated through vacuum evaporation at the wafer level; however, this thesis investigates an alternative low cost manufacturing process at the wafer scale for the deposition of indium micro-bumps through electroplating. The work has placed its emphasis on the requirements of future technologies which will enable a low temperature (<150oC), high density interconnection (> 40,000 IOs/cm2) with a high throughput and high production yield. This research is a systematic investigation of the wafer-scale indium bumping process through electrodeposition using indium sulphamate solution. An intensive experimental study of micro-bump formation has been carried out to elaborate the effects of two of the main electroplating factors that can significantly influence the quality of bumps in the course of electrodeposition, namely the current distribution and mass transport. To adjust the current density distribution, various waveforms of current input, including direct current (DC), unipolar pulse current and bipolar pulse reverse current, were employed in the experiments. To assist mass transportation prior to or during electroplating, acoustic agitation including ultrasonic agitation at 30 kHz frequency as well as megasonic agitation at 1 MHz, were utilised. The electrochemical properties of the indium sulphamate solution were first investigated using non-patterned plain substrates prior to indium bumping trials. This provided understanding of the microstructural characteristics of indium deposits produced by electroplating and, through cathodic polarisation measurements, the highest current density suitable for electrodeposition was achieved as approximately 30 mA/cm2 when electroplating was carried out at room temperature and with no agitation applied. The typical surface morphology of DC electroplated indium contained a granular structure with a surface feature size as large as 10 µm. Pulse and pulse reverse electroplating significantly altered the surface morphology of the deposits and the surface became much smoother. By introducing acoustic agitation, the current density range suitable for electrodeposition could be significantly expanded due to the greater mass transfer, which led to a higher speed of deposition with high current efficiency. Wafer-scale indium bumping (15 µm to 25 µm diameter) at a minimum pitch size of 25 µm was successfully developed through electroplating trials with 3 inch test wafers and subsequently applied onto the standard 4 inch wafers. The results demonstrate the capability of electroplating to generate high quality indium bumps with ultrafine pitch at a high consistency and yield. To maximise the yield, pre-wetting of the ultrafine pitch photoresist patterns by both ultrasonic or megasonic agitation is essential leading to a bumping yield up to 99.9% on the wafer scale. The bump profiles and their uniformity at both the wafer and pattern scale were measured and the effects of electrodeposition regimes on the bump formation evaluated. The bump uniformity and microstructure at the feature scale were also investigated by cross-sectioning the electroplated bumps from different locations on the wafers. The growth mechanism of indium bumps were proposed on the basis of experimental observation. It was found that the use of a conductive current thief ring can homogenise the directional bump uniformity when the electrical contact is made asymmetrically, and improve the overall uniformity when the electrical contact is made symmetrically around the periphery of the wafer. Both unipolar pulse electroplating and bipolar pulse reverse electroplating improved the uniformity of the bump height at the wafer scale and pattern scale, and the feature scale uniformity could be significantly improved by pulse reverse electroplating. The best uniformity of 13.6% for a 4 inch wafer was achieved by using pulse reverse electroplating. The effect of ultrasonic agitation on the process was examined, but found to cause damage to the photoresist patterns if used for extended periods and therefore not suitable for use throughout indium bumping. Megasonic agitation enabled high speed bumping without sacrifice of current efficiency and with little damage to the photoresist patterns. However, megasonic agitation tended to degrade some aspects of wafer scale uniformity and should therefore be properly coupled with other electroplating parameters to assist the electroplating process.

Photovoltaic technologies use light from the sun to create electricity, using a wide range of materials and mechanisms. The generation of clean, renewable energy using this technology must become price competitive with conventional power generation if it is to succeed on a large scale. The field of photovoltaics can be split into many sub-groups, however the overall aim of each is to reduce the cost per watt of the produced electricity. One such solar cell which has potential to reduce the cost significantly is the dye sensitised solar cell (DSC), which utilises cheap materials and processing methods. The reduction in cost of the generated electricity is largely dependent on two parameters. Firstly, the efficiency that the solar cell can convert light into electricity and secondly, the cost to deposit the solar cell. This thesis aims to address both factors, specifically looking at altering the transparent conducting oxide (TCO) and substrate in the solar cell. One method to improve the overall conversion efficiency of the device is to implement the DSC as the top cell in a tandem structure, with a bottom infra-red absorbing solar cell. The top solar cell in such a structure must not needlessly absorb photons which the bottom solar cell can utilise, which can be the case in solar cells utilising standard transparent contacts such as fluorine-doped tin oxide. In this work, transparent conducting oxides with high mobility such as titanium-doped indium oxide (ITiO) have been used to successfully increase the amount of photons through a DSC, available for a bottom infra-red sensitive solar cell such as Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS). Although electrically and optically of very high quality, the production of DSCs on this material is difficult due to the heat and chemical instability of the film, as well as the poor adhesion of TiO2 on the ITiO surface. Deposition of a interfacial SnO2 layer and a post-deposition annealing treatment in vacuum aided the deposition process, and transparent DSCs of 7.4% have been fabricated. The deposition of a high quality TCO utilising cheap materials is another method to improve the cost/watt ratio. Aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO) is a TCO which offers very high optical and electronic quality, whilst avoiding the high cost of indium based TCOs. The chemical and thermal instability of AZO films though present a problem due to the processing steps used in DSC fabrication. Such films etch very easily in slightly acidic environments, and are susceptible to a loss of conductivity upon annealing in air, so some steps have to be taken to fabricate intact devices. In this work, thick layers of SnO2 have been used to reduce the amount of etching on the surface of the film, whilst careful control of the deposition parameters can produce AZO films of high stability. High efficiency devices close to 9% have been fabricated using these stacked layers. Finally, transferring solar cells from rigid to flexible substrates offers cost advantages, since the price of the glass substrate is a significant part of the final cost of the cell. Also, the savings associated with roll to roll deposition of solar cells is large since the production doesn't rely on a batch process, using heavy glass substrates, but a fast, continuous process. This work has explored using the high temperature stable polymer, polyimide, commonly used in CIGS and CdTe solar cells. AZO thin films have been deposited on 7.5um thick polyimide foils, and DSCs of efficiency over 4% have been fabricated on the substrates, using standard processing methods.

O estudo de processos inflamatórios e infecciosos em Medicina Nuclear apresenta grande relevância para a clínica médica diagnostica. Enquanto em alguns casos o diagnóstico é óbvio, baseado na história clínica e exame físico do paciente, em outros é mais difícil, por serem assintomáticos ou por apresentarem sintomas não específicos. O diagnóstico precoce do processo inflamatório ou infeccioso permite tratamento rápido e também o impedimento de outras complicações. Além disto, a distinção entre inflamação e infecção é de extrema importância, bem como a provável localização. O uso de leucócitos radiomarcados, já estudados e aplicados em várias patologias, é o método de escolha para visualização de focos de infecção e inflamação. A cintilografia de leucócitos radiomarcados foi introduzida em 1976 por McAffe e Thakur e desde então é usada para diagnosticar diferentes patologias que envolvem infiltração leucocitária como distúrbios inflamatórios do intestino, infecção óssea ou prótese-vasculares entre outras. A marcação dos leucócitos in vitro pode ser realizada com 111In utilizando-se oxima ou tropolona como ligante ou com 99mTc, tendo a hexametilpropileno amino oxima (HMPAO) como ligante, resultando em um complexo lipofílico. A melhor disponibilidade, menor tempo de realização do exame, melhor propriedade física e menor dose de radiação para o paciente, resultou na preferência pelo agente HMPAO marcado com 99mTc, ao invés do 111In, para a maioria das indicações na maioria dos países. Entretanto, a marcação empregando o agente HMPAO apresenta como desvantagens a curta estabilidade do reagente marcado, as exigências relacionadas ao processo de marcação (tempo pós-eluição do 99mTc), além do custo elevado, pois se trata de produto importado. Este trabalho visou o desenvolvimento do reagente liofilizado de glucoheptonatoestanho para marcação de leucócitos com 99mTc in vitro pelo método de préestanização. A otimização da técnica de marcação foi realizada através da incubação dos leucócitos, isolados de sangue total, com diferentes volumes do reagente de glucoheptonato-estanho por diferentes tempos à 37°C (préestanização), com posterior marcação com 99mTc (185 MBq), incubados à temperatura ambiente por 20 minutos. O rendimento da marcação foi superior a 90% na condição ótima de marcação. O reagente liofilizado mostrou-se estável por mais de 90 dias. As imagens cintilográficas obtidas 1, 2 e 3 horas após a administração dos leucócitos radiomarcados em coelho New Zeland demonstraram a alta eficiência de marcação de processo inflamatório provocado a partir da administração local de terebentina. O método de marcação de leucócitos desenvolvido apresenta aplicação promissora na clínica médica, com proposta de redução de custo do procedimento, apesar de ser um procedimento mais demorado quando comparado ao procedimento que utiliza o quelante lipofílico de HMPAO. / The study and localization of inflammatory and infection process in Nuclear Medicine represents a relevant tool in diagnostic procedures. In same cases, the diagnostic is easy and based on anamnesis and clinical observation; in other cases, the patients are asymptomatic or present non specific symptoms that difficult the diagnostic. The early diagnostic of inflammatory or infectious process allow the early introduction of therapy and prevents complications. Farther, the differentiation between inflammation and infection is of extreme importance as well as the localization of the focus. The use of labeled leucocytes, studied and applied in much pathologies, is the method of choice for the visualization of inflammation and infection. The scintigraphy using labeled leucocytes was introduced at 1976 by McAffe and Thakur and since of this is used in the diagnostic of different pathologies related to leucocyte infiltration like intestinal inflammatory disease, bone or prosthetic-vascular infections. The in vitro labeling of leucocytes with 111In was performed using oxime or tropolone as ligand and with 99mTc using hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HMPAO) as ligand, resulting in a lipophilic complex. The 99mTc-HMPAG complex was preferably employed in many indications and countries do to the ideal physical properties of 99mTc that results in low dose to the patient. However, the labeling employing the HMPAO complex results in some disadvantages like the low stability of the complex, and some requirements related to the 99mTc elution (like the time pos elution), beyond the high cost of the compound that is imported. The aim of this work was the development of a tin-glucoheptonate lyophilized kit for in vitro leucocytes labeling with 99mTc using the pre-stannization method. The optimization of the labeling technique was developed using leucocytes isolated from total blood and employing different volumes of the tinglucoheptonate reagent and different incubation times at 37 deg C (pre-stannization), and posterior labeling with 99mTc (185 MBq), after 20 minutes reaction at room temperature. The labeling yield was superior to 90% using the optimized labeling conditions. Lyophilized reagent was stable after 90 days. Scintilographic images obtained 1, 2 e 3 hours after the administration of labeled leucocytes in New Zealand rabbit, showed good uptake on inflammatory focus promoted by tupertine injection. The leucocytes labeling method developed can be probably applied in clinical procedures and represents cost effective method in substitution of the lipophilic complex of HMPAO.

Cerâmicas elétricas de Ba2In2O5 foram preparadas pelo método convencional de mistura de óxidos, e pela mistura e cristalização dos nitratos metálicos, para verificar o efeito do tamanho inicial das partículas na transição de fase ordemdesordem e na condutividade elétrica. Foram feitas substituições utilizando os cátions Gd3+ e Er3+, para verificar o efeito destes cátions na condutividade elétrica do indato de bário. Foi também preparado o óxido de índio pela técnica de complexação de cátions, e as nanopartículas obtidas foram caracterizadas por diversas técnicas. As principais técnicas de caracterização utilizadas foram: análise térmica, espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho com transformada de Fourier, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, difração de raios X convencional e utilizando radiação síncrotron, espalhamento de raios X a baixos ângulos, espectroscopia de energia dispersiva, espectroscopia Raman e medida da condutividade elétrica por espectroscopia de impedância. Os principais resultados mostraram que os tratamentos térmicos de calcinação e sinterização exercem forte influência na obtenção da fase Ba2In2O5. Fases espúrias são facilmente formadas no Ba2In2O5 também decorrentes da interação deste com a umidade. Um menor tamanho inicial de partículas favorece a redução na temperatura de transição de fase de segunda ordem. A introdução do Er, em teores relativamente baixos, produziu aumento na condutividade elétrica e simultânea redução na temperatura de transição de fase. Altos teores de Er e Gd dão origem a múltiplas fases. Na decomposição térmica do citrato de índio é formado um composto intermediário. A calcinação do citrato de índio produziu um material particulado com tamanho nanométrico, mesmo para temperaturas de até 900 ºC. / The Ba2In2O5 conducting ceramic was prepared by the conventional powder mixing technique and by the crystallization of a mixture of metallic nitrates. The main purpose of this work was to verify the particle size effect on the electrical conductivity and phase transition temperature of sintered ceramics. Gd3+ and Er3+ were used to study the effect of dopant cations in the electrical conductivity behavior of Ba2In2O5. Finally, indium oxide was prepared by the cation complexation technique, and the obtained nanoparticles were characterized by several techniques. The main characterization techniques used in this work were: thermal analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, conventional X-ray diffraction and non-conventional X-ray diffraction using síncroton radiation, small angle X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and electrical conductivity by impedance spectroscopy. The main results show that special care should be taken in order to obtain single phase Ba2In2O5 powders, especially with thermal treatments of calcination and sintering of powders and compacts. The temperature for the second order phase transition decreased with reduction of the initial particle size. An increase of the electrical conductivity along with decrease in the temperature for phase transition was observed for small amounts of Er. Large contents of both Gd and Er give rise to more complexes phases. An intermediate compound was formed during the thermal decomposition of indium citrate. Calcination of this precursor up to 900 ºC gave rise to nanosized particles.

Orientador: Lázaro Aurélio Padilha Junior / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-02T09:51:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nagamine_Gabriel_M.pdf: 6846623 bytes, checksum: 1daab6ac65771517c50786728dfce86e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017 / Resumo: Pontos quânticos coloidais (QDs) ternários de CuInS2 (CIS) surgiram como uma alternativa não tóxica, altamente promissora, aos já bem estabelecidos QDs binários de CdX e PbX (X=Se,S). Além de não possuírem metais pesados em sua composição, esses novos materiais apresentam diversas características desejáveis, o que os torna fortes candidatos a serem aplicados em novas tecnologias, tanto em biologia quanto na geração de nova fontes de energia renovável. Além disso, esses QDs apresentam diversas propriedades ópticas que os diferem radicalmente dos QDs binários já conhecidos e ainda são pouco compreendidas. Dentre elas, podemos citar um largo espectro de fotoluminescência (PL), com decaimentos longos e multi-exponenciais e um espectro de absorção pouco definido, com uma longa cauda que vai para o infravermelho. Adicionalmente, esses nanomateriais apresentam um grande Stokes shift, de até 500 meV, cuja origem ainda é desconhecida e amplamente debatida na literatura. Com o intuito de desvendar os mecanismos por trás dessas propriedades distintas, nesse trabalho, realizamos uma série de estudos da sua dinâmica ultrarrápida e de espectroscopia não-linear para revelar a estrutura eletrônica desses QDs. Das medidas de dinâmica ultrarrápida, mostramos uma maneira alternativa de medir-se o tamanho dessas nanopartículas, por meio da sua seção de choque de absorção em 3,1 eV, que seria independente da variabilidade morfológica apresentada por elas. Adicionalmente, fazendo um estudo da dependência das interações multi-éxciton desses QDs com o tamanho, reportamos que esses nanomateriais apresentam interações Coulombianas reduzidas em relação aos QDs binários já conhecidos. Das medidas de espectroscopia não-linear, mostramos a primeira comprovação experimental de que a transição óptica entre os níveis fundamentais da banda de valência e condução é proibida por paridade em partículas esféricas. Além disso, comparando o espectro de absorção de 2 fótons das amostras estudadas com imagens de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM), mostramos que quebras na simetria das funções de onda dos portadores nesses QDs alteram as suas regras de seleção para transições ópticas. Adicionalmente, verificamos que, controlando a composição e tamanho desses QDs, é possível obter seções de choque de 2PA de até 13.500 GM dentro da janela de transparência óptica do tecido do corpo humano / Abstract: Ternary CuInS2 (CIS) Colloidal Quantum Dots (QDs) have emerged as a non-toxic promising alternative to the CdX and PbX (X=Se,S) binary QDs. Besides not having heavy metals on their composition, these new materials show several desirable features, which makes them strong candidates to be applied in new technologies, from biology to the new generation of renewable energy sources. Furthermore, these QDs present various optical properties that radically differs from the already well studied binary QDs and yet are not well understood. Among them, we can cite a large photoluminescence (PL) spectra, with long and multi-exponential decays and a poorly defined absorption spectra, with a long infrared tail. Additionally, these nanomaterials present large Stokes shift, up to 500 meV, whose origin is still not well understood and largely debated on the literature. To reveal the mechanism behind these distinguished properties, here, we perform a series of ultrafast spectroscopy and non-linear spectroscopy studies to reveal the electronic band structure of these QDs. From the ultrafast dynamics measurements, we show an alternative way to measure the size of these nanoparticles, through their absorption cross section in 3,1 eV, which would be independent from the morphologic variability presented by them. Additionally, by performing studies of the size dependent multi-exciton interactions, we report that these kind of nanomaterials present reduced Coulombic interactions in relation to de already known binary QDs. From the non-linear spectroscopy measurements, we show the first experimental confirmation that the optical transition between the electron and hole ground state are parity forbidden in the spherical particles. In addition, comparing the two-photon absorption (2PA) spectra of the studied samples with their transmission electron microscopy images, we show that symmetry breaking of the electronic wave functions in these QDs change their optical transition selection rules. Additionally, we verify that, by controlling the size and composition of these QDs, it is possible to obtain 2PA cross section as high as 13,500 GM inside the transparency window of the human tissue / Mestrado / Física / Mestre em Física / 1547612/2015 / 13/16911-2 / CAPES / FAPESP

O estudo de processos inflamatórios e infecciosos em Medicina Nuclear apresenta grande relevância para a clínica médica diagnostica. Enquanto em alguns casos o diagnóstico é óbvio, baseado na história clínica e exame físico do paciente, em outros é mais difícil, por serem assintomáticos ou por apresentarem sintomas não específicos. O diagnóstico precoce do processo inflamatório ou infeccioso permite tratamento rápido e também o impedimento de outras complicações. Além disto, a distinção entre inflamação e infecção é de extrema importância, bem como a provável localização. O uso de leucócitos radiomarcados, já estudados e aplicados em várias patologias, é o método de escolha para visualização de focos de infecção e inflamação. A cintilografia de leucócitos radiomarcados foi introduzida em 1976 por McAffe e Thakur e desde então é usada para diagnosticar diferentes patologias que envolvem infiltração leucocitária como distúrbios inflamatórios do intestino, infecção óssea ou prótese-vasculares entre outras. A marcação dos leucócitos in vitro pode ser realizada com 111In utilizando-se oxima ou tropolona como ligante ou com 99mTc, tendo a hexametilpropileno amino oxima (HMPAO) como ligante, resultando em um complexo lipofílico. A melhor disponibilidade, menor tempo de realização do exame, melhor propriedade física e menor dose de radiação para o paciente, resultou na preferência pelo agente HMPAO marcado com 99mTc, ao invés do 111In, para a maioria das indicações na maioria dos países. Entretanto, a marcação empregando o agente HMPAO apresenta como desvantagens a curta estabilidade do reagente marcado, as exigências relacionadas ao processo de marcação (tempo pós-eluição do 99mTc), além do custo elevado, pois se trata de produto importado. Este trabalho visou o desenvolvimento do reagente liofilizado de glucoheptonatoestanho para marcação de leucócitos com 99mTc in vitro pelo método de préestanização. A otimização da técnica de marcação foi realizada através da incubação dos leucócitos, isolados de sangue total, com diferentes volumes do reagente de glucoheptonato-estanho por diferentes tempos à 37°C (préestanização), com posterior marcação com 99mTc (185 MBq), incubados à temperatura ambiente por 20 minutos. O rendimento da marcação foi superior a 90% na condição ótima de marcação. O reagente liofilizado mostrou-se estável por mais de 90 dias. As imagens cintilográficas obtidas 1, 2 e 3 horas após a administração dos leucócitos radiomarcados em coelho New Zeland demonstraram a alta eficiência de marcação de processo inflamatório provocado a partir da administração local de terebentina. O método de marcação de leucócitos desenvolvido apresenta aplicação promissora na clínica médica, com proposta de redução de custo do procedimento, apesar de ser um procedimento mais demorado quando comparado ao procedimento que utiliza o quelante lipofílico de HMPAO. / The study and localization of inflammatory and infection process in Nuclear Medicine represents a relevant tool in diagnostic procedures. In same cases, the diagnostic is easy and based on anamnesis and clinical observation; in other cases, the patients are asymptomatic or present non specific symptoms that difficult the diagnostic. The early diagnostic of inflammatory or infectious process allow the early introduction of therapy and prevents complications. Farther, the differentiation between inflammation and infection is of extreme importance as well as the localization of the focus. The use of labeled leucocytes, studied and applied in much pathologies, is the method of choice for the visualization of inflammation and infection. The scintigraphy using labeled leucocytes was introduced at 1976 by McAffe and Thakur and since of this is used in the diagnostic of different pathologies related to leucocyte infiltration like intestinal inflammatory disease, bone or prosthetic-vascular infections. The in vitro labeling of leucocytes with 111In was performed using oxime or tropolone as ligand and with 99mTc using hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HMPAO) as ligand, resulting in a lipophilic complex. The 99mTc-HMPAG complex was preferably employed in many indications and countries do to the ideal physical properties of 99mTc that results in low dose to the patient. However, the labeling employing the HMPAO complex results in some disadvantages like the low stability of the complex, and some requirements related to the 99mTc elution (like the time pos elution), beyond the high cost of the compound that is imported. The aim of this work was the development of a tin-glucoheptonate lyophilized kit for in vitro leucocytes labeling with 99mTc using the pre-stannization method. The optimization of the labeling technique was developed using leucocytes isolated from total blood and employing different volumes of the tinglucoheptonate reagent and different incubation times at 37 deg C (pre-stannization), and posterior labeling with 99mTc (185 MBq), after 20 minutes reaction at room temperature. The labeling yield was superior to 90% using the optimized labeling conditions. Lyophilized reagent was stable after 90 days. Scintilographic images obtained 1, 2 e 3 hours after the administration of labeled leucocytes in New Zealand rabbit, showed good uptake on inflammatory focus promoted by tupertine injection. The leucocytes labeling method developed can be probably applied in clinical procedures and represents cost effective method in substitution of the lipophilic complex of HMPAO.

This thesis investigates the possibility of enhancing the efficiency of thin film solar cells by including periodic material nonhomogeneities in combination with periodically corrugated back reflectors. Two different types of solar cell are investigated; p-i-n junctions solar cells made from alloys of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) (containing either carbon or germanium), and Schottky barrier junction solar cells made from alloys of indium gallium nitride (InξGa1-ξN). Material nonhomogeneities are produced by varying the fractions of the constituent elements of the alloys. For example, by varying the content of carbon or germanium in the a-Si:H alloys, semiconductors with bandgaps ranging from 1:3 eV to 1:95 eV can be produced. Changing the bandgap alters both the optical and electrical properties of the material so this necessitates the use of coupled optical and electrical models. To date, the majority of solar cell simulations either prioritise the electrical portion of the simulation or they prioritise the optical portion of the simulation. In this thesis, a coupled optoelectronic model, developed using COMSOL Multiphysics®, was used to simulate solar cells: a two-dimensional finite-element optical model, which solved Maxwell's equations throughout the solar cells, was used to calculate the absorption of incident sunlight; and a finite-element electrical drift-diffusion transport model, either one- or two-dimensional depending on the symmetries of the problem, was used to calculate the steady state current densities throughout the solar cells under external voltage biases. It is shown that a periodically corrugated back reflector made from silver can increase efficiency of an a-Si:H alloy single p-i-n junction solar cell by 9:9% compared to a baseline design, while for a triple junction the improvement is a relatively meagre 1:8%. It is subsequently shown that the efficiency of these single p-i-n junction solar cells with a back reflector can be further increased by the inclusion of material nonhomogeneities, and that increasing the nonhomogeneity progressively increases efficiency, especially in thicker solar cells. In the case of InξGa1-ξN Schottky barrier junction solar cells, the gains are shown to be even greater. An overall increase in efficiency of up to 26:8% over a baseline design is reported.

Cerâmicas elétricas de Ba2In2O5 foram preparadas pelo método convencional de mistura de óxidos, e pela mistura e cristalização dos nitratos metálicos, para verificar o efeito do tamanho inicial das partículas na transição de fase ordemdesordem e na condutividade elétrica. Foram feitas substituições utilizando os cátions Gd3+ e Er3+, para verificar o efeito destes cátions na condutividade elétrica do indato de bário. Foi também preparado o óxido de índio pela técnica de complexação de cátions, e as nanopartículas obtidas foram caracterizadas por diversas técnicas. As principais técnicas de caracterização utilizadas foram: análise térmica, espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho com transformada de Fourier, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, difração de raios X convencional e utilizando radiação síncrotron, espalhamento de raios X a baixos ângulos, espectroscopia de energia dispersiva, espectroscopia Raman e medida da condutividade elétrica por espectroscopia de impedância. Os principais resultados mostraram que os tratamentos térmicos de calcinação e sinterização exercem forte influência na obtenção da fase Ba2In2O5. Fases espúrias são facilmente formadas no Ba2In2O5 também decorrentes da interação deste com a umidade. Um menor tamanho inicial de partículas favorece a redução na temperatura de transição de fase de segunda ordem. A introdução do Er, em teores relativamente baixos, produziu aumento na condutividade elétrica e simultânea redução na temperatura de transição de fase. Altos teores de Er e Gd dão origem a múltiplas fases. Na decomposição térmica do citrato de índio é formado um composto intermediário. A calcinação do citrato de índio produziu um material particulado com tamanho nanométrico, mesmo para temperaturas de até 900 ºC. / The Ba2In2O5 conducting ceramic was prepared by the conventional powder mixing technique and by the crystallization of a mixture of metallic nitrates. The main purpose of this work was to verify the particle size effect on the electrical conductivity and phase transition temperature of sintered ceramics. Gd3+ and Er3+ were used to study the effect of dopant cations in the electrical conductivity behavior of Ba2In2O5. Finally, indium oxide was prepared by the cation complexation technique, and the obtained nanoparticles were characterized by several techniques. The main characterization techniques used in this work were: thermal analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, conventional X-ray diffraction and non-conventional X-ray diffraction using síncroton radiation, small angle X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and electrical conductivity by impedance spectroscopy. The main results show that special care should be taken in order to obtain single phase Ba2In2O5 powders, especially with thermal treatments of calcination and sintering of powders and compacts. The temperature for the second order phase transition decreased with reduction of the initial particle size. An increase of the electrical conductivity along with decrease in the temperature for phase transition was observed for small amounts of Er. Large contents of both Gd and Er give rise to more complexes phases. An intermediate compound was formed during the thermal decomposition of indium citrate. Calcination of this precursor up to 900 ºC gave rise to nanosized particles.