Transparent Conductors based on Ag Nanolayer embedded in Semiconductor Oxides

Aim of this work is the fabrication, processing and characterization of ultrathin TCO/Ag/TCO transparent electrodes. The study, is also focused on the optimization of structural, optical and electrical properties for several applications. The thesis is organized as follows: Chapter 1: it introduces the optoelectronic devices and their optical and electrical properties. Chapter 2: it presents a detailed discussion of the basic electronic structures and optical properties of TCO materials emphasizing the key properties giving them some unique properties. Chapter 3: it treats of very thin TCO/Ag/TCO multilayer structures grown by RF magnetron sputtering. Synthesis and properties of TCO/Ag/TCO multilayers as a function of different combinations of AZO and ITO top and bottom TCO layers, and as function of the Ag film thickness, are investigated. Chapter 4: it describes the compatibility of the AZO/Ag/AZO multilayers with some practical applications.