A Schottky Barrier Device on Steel for use in Photovoltaics

On bringing a metal and a semiconductor into contact, a diodic interface can be created, the Schottky barrier. Photovoltaic devices based on the sensitization of a Schottky barrier have been reported. In these devices, the proposed mechanism is electron harvesting of electrons injected over a Schottky barrier interface into a semi-conductor film. This mechanism exploits the relatively long mean free path of hot electrons through a noble metal film.