Abstract: A pulsed plasma deposition device, including an apparatus for generating a beam of electrons, a target and a substrate, the apparatus being suitable for generating a pulsed beam of electrons directed towards said target to determine the ablation of the material of said target in the form of a plasma plume directed towards said substrate. The device includes a transportation and focussing group of the beam of electrons towards said target, arranged between said apparatus and said target and including a transportation cone, the transportation and focussing group also including a focussing electrode directly connected to the transportation cone and shaped substantially like a loop. The axis of symmetry of the focussing electrode is perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the surface of the target.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a device for generating plasma and for directing an flow of electrons towards a specific target; the device comprises a hollow cathode; a main electrode at least partially placed inside the cathode; a resistor, electrically earthing the main electrode; a substantially dielectric tubular element extending through a wall of the cathode; a ring-shaped anode placed around the tubular element and earthed; and an activation group which is electrically connected to the cathode and is able to reduce the electric potential of the cathode of at least 8 kV in about 10 ns.

Abstract: A process for preparing a solar cell comprising a support, a layer of cadmium sulfide (CdS), a layer of cadmium telluride (CdTe), a layer of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), a conductive metallic layer and optionally a layer of buffer material, the CdS layer and the CdTe layer being deposited by means of a pulsed plasma deposition (PPD) method, a solar cell obtainable by means of the described process being also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a device for generating plasma and for directing an flow of electrons towards a specific target; the device comprises a hollow cathode; a main electrode at least partially placed inside the cathode; a resistor, electrically earthing the main electrode; a substantially dielectric tubular element extending through a wall of the cathode; a ring-shaped anode placed around the tubular element and earthed; and an activation group which is electrically connected to the cathode and is able to reduce the electric potential of the cathode of at least 8 kV in about 10 ns.

Abstract: A method for depositing a metal oxide film on a surface of a supporting body for the film, comprising the steps of: —providing a deposition chamber; —providing a pulsed beam of electrons and plasma in the deposition chamber; —supplying a supporting body in the deposition chamber, the supporting body having a deposition surface; —providing a target body made of a material which comprises the metal oxide in the deposition chamber, the target body having a target surface; —forming a plume of metal oxide ablated from the target surface by means of the impact of the pulsed beam of electrons and plasma against the target surface; and —depositing a metal oxide film on the deposition surface by means of the contact of the plume with the deposition surface.

Abstract: A process for preparing a solar cell comprising a support, a layer of cadmium sulfide (CdS), a layer of cadmium telluride (CdTe), a layer of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), a conductive metallic layer and optionally a layer of buffer material, the CdS layer and the CdTe layer being deposited by means of a pulsed plasma deposition (PPD) method, a solar cell obtainable by means of the described process being also provided.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing single-wall and multiwall carbon nanotubes, comprising the stage of ablation by pulsed electronic beams of a graphite target that contains metallic catalysts.

Abstract: A non-conventional lithographic process for modifying, improving and fabricating structural anisotropy, organization and order, and anisotropy of the mechanical, electrical, optical, optoelectronics, charge-carrying and energy-carrying properties in thin films constituted by organic materials with double conjugated bonds. The method consists in molding, performed directly on the conjugated thin film by virtue of intimate contact with the surface of a mold. The parts of the film in direct contact with the mold undergo a transformation that is local in character and whose dimensions depend on the dimensions of the structures provided on the mold. Molding can be performed both in static conditions and in dynamic conditions.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for nondestructively detecting the orientation of anisotropic molecules in thin films and in molecular layers in general. The present invention is based on a single measurement of the non-polarized photoluminescence spectrum, in order to determine whether the molecules are orientated at right angles or parallel to the surface of the molecular layer, fabricated with any technique. The method is fast and noninvasive and can also allow to observe noninterferingly in real time during growth the orientation of the molecules in the film. The result of this real-time observation can be used to optimize the growth conditions of the film in order to achieve the intended molecular orientation.

Abstract: A method for transferring spin-polarized charge carriers, comprising the steps of: a) injection of spin-polarized charge carriers in an organic material and b) transport of the spin-polarized charge carriers through the organic material. The invention also relates to a device for the spin-polarized transfer of charge carriers, comprising: a) a medium suitable for the transport of spin-polarized charge carriers, and b) apparatus for injecting spin-polarized charge carriers into the medium suitable for the transport of spin-polarized charge carriers, the medium suitable for the transport of spin-polarized charge carriers comprising an organic material.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for nondestructively detecting the orientation of anisotropic molecules in thin films and in molecular layers in general. The present invention is based on a single measurement of the nonpolarized photoluminescence spectrum, in order to determine whether the molecules are orientated at right angles or parallel to the surface of the molecular layer, fabricated with any technique. The method is fast and noninvasive and can also allow to observe noninterferingly in real time during growth the orientation of the molecules in the film. The result of this real-time observation can be used to optimize the growth conditions of the film in order to achieve the intended molecular orientation.