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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
We review scanning tunneling luminescence (STL) – a photon emission spectroscopy based on scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) – and report on its application to photovoltaics. As part of this exploratory research, we have investigated CuInSe2 thin films, solar cells based on quantum dots, and dilute nitride compounds. STL is very attractive because it is capable of nanometer resolution, which is being demanded by the spectacular advancement of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In addition, STM offers both unipolar and bipolar excitation of the luminescence and, consequently, the transport and recombination of electrons and holes can be investigated independently.