Transparent thin film electrodes made of vertically aligned nanocolumns of TiO2 with well-controlled oblique angles were grown by physical vapor deposition at glancing incidence (PVD-GLAD). For an electrode thickness of 500 nm, we report a 40% variation on solar cell efficiency (from 0.6% to 1.04%) when the deposition angle was modified between 60° and 85°. Transparent thicker films with higher surface area deposited at the optimal angle of 70° were grown with a zigzag morphology which confers high mechanical strength to the thin films. Using this topology, the application of an electrode thickness of 3 µm in a DSC resulted in a power conversion efficiency of 2.78% maintaining electrode transparency.

Aligned TiO2 nanocolumnar layers prepared by PVD-GLAD for transparent dye sensitized solar cells, Energy & Environmental Science 4, 3426-3435 (2011)

The inside cover illustrates the fabrication process of dichroic optical patterns by nanosecond laser processing of silver-decorated, oriented SiO2 nanocolumns. Using this straightforward methodology, it is possible to selectively tune the surface plasmon of the silver nanostripes along the visible range as a function of the laser power during the irradiation. These optical structures are of application for optical encryption and related applications...

Selective Dichroic Patterning by Nanosecond Laser Treatment of Ag Nanostripes, Advanced Materials 23, 848-853 (2011)

The inside cover shows two types of photonic structures selectively deposited with a highly fluorescent and transparent organic thin film, as reported by Angel Barranco and co-workers. These structures select and couple the green luminescence of the organic film up to the waveguide outputs in the photonic chip edge. The luminescent films are grown by a gentle deposition process fully compatible with sensitive and flexible substrates and easily scalable at the wafer level.

Transparent Nanometric Organic Luminiscent Films as UV-Active Components in Photonic Structures, Advanced Materials 23, 761-765 (2011)

Plasma surface functionalization of diamond like carbon (DLC) with nitrogen functional groups is achieved. The image shows the nitrogen XPS spectrum, indicating the surface incorporation of amines and aging effects, and the changes in the surface topography after the nitrogen-containing plasma treatment. More details can be found in:

Formation of Nitrogen Functional Groups on Plasma Treated DLC, Plasma Processes and Polymers, Vol. 6, Issue 9, 555-565 (2009)

Luminescent nanocomposites containing Rhodamine 6G laser dye molecules are deposited by remote microwave plasma polymerization. The picture shows micrometric patterns generated by plasma etching using a shadow mask. The nanometric thin films are also intensely absorbent. More details can be found in:

Luminescent and Optical Properties of Nanocomposite Thin Films Deposited by Remote Plasma Polymerization of Rhodamine 6G, Plasma Processes and Polymers Vol. 6, Issue 1, 17-26 (2009)

This picture presents a SEM image of the nanofibres prepared by plasma deposition, another image by TEM to show the internal structure of the fibres and a pictorical scheme to show the importance of the inhomogeneities of the electrical field of the plasma sheath in the formation of the fibres. More details can be found in:

Factors that Contribute to the Growth of Ag@TiO2 Nanofibers by Plasma Deposition, Plasma Processes and Polymers, Vol. 4, Issue 5, 515-527 (2007)