Abstract: A photo-active device is provided that has a cavity in an integrated, transparent mold material. An active material layer is disposed therein along with other layers disposed in and about said cavity to define a dome-like array architecture. A process for forming the dome-like array structure includes disposing an active layer into a series of empty periodically positioned cavities of a dome-like array template working mold material. Each of the series of empty periodically positioned cavities has curvature variations of the interior surface of the dome-array cavities optimized for device efficiency, reduction of performance sensitivity to light impingement angle, or a combination thereof. At least one of absorber layers, contact layers, spacer/transport layers, and electrode layers are also disposed in the series of cavities.

Abstract: A process for forming a nano-element structure is provided that includes contacting a template with a material to form the nano-element structure having an array of nano-elements and a base physically connecting the array of nano-elements. The material that is contacted with the template is the nano-element structure material or precursor material from which the array of nano-elements is formed. The nano-element structure is then removed from contact with the template. The nano-element structure material or its precursor is brought into contact with the template for the forming of the array of nano-elements by techniques such as nano-imprinting and printing. A final substrate subsequently supports the array of nano-elements so produced. The array of nano-elements is exposed free and at least one layer of a dopant layer, a spacer layer, a light absorber layer, a conductor, or a counter electrode layer, are employed to complete an operative device.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device is provided that includes a periodic array having a unit cell with a first electrode protrusion of a height H, characteristic width W, and period L. An absorber of nominal thickness T has a volume with a first component between the electrode element protrusions and a second component completely covering the electrode protrusions, H, W, and L for a given T allow carrier collection from the majority of points within the volume and simultaneously to enhance the photon density distribution within the absorber resulting from path length, photonic and plasmonic effects produced by the topology and morphology created by the electrode shapes and the volume distribution between the first and the second components.