An Italian research centre, involved in R&D activities on photovoltaic technology, has developed a new universal reflectometer for non-destructive optical characterisation of materials and devices for solar energy, suitable for any type of optical measurements on small and large planar samples. Organisations operating in the optics or photovoltaic field are sought for technical cooperation, license or manufacturing agreement.

An Italian research centre, involved in R&D activities on photovoltaic technology, has developed a new Universal reflectometer for non-destructive optical characterisation of materials and devices for solar energy. The new Universal reflectometer is realised with a 40-cm-diameter integrating sphere, suitable for any type of optical measurements on small (units of square cm) and large (units of square meters) planar samples.

The class of measurements are:

- R (Reflectance), T (Transmittance), A (Absorbance) on small and large samples at direct light at changing wavelength and angle of incidence.

- R, T, A on small and large samples at diffuse, isotropic light at changing wavelength.

- R on small samples at direct light at changing wavelength and angle of incidence from 0° to ˜90°, with laser or lamp sources.

Details of possible measurements:

- Direct light:

* Total reflectance at changing wavelength and angle of incidence in a continuous way

* Diffuse reflectance at changing wavelength and angle of incidence in a continuous way

* Total transmittance at changing wavelength and angle of incidence in a continuous way

* Diffuse transmittance at changing wavelength and angle of incidence in a continuous way

- Diffuse light:

* Total reflectance at changing wavelength

* Total transmittance at changing wavelength

Innovative Aspects:

- Non-destructive characterisation of large samples (PV modules, semitransparent sheets, windows, etc)

- A single, universal instrument is able to carry out any optical measurement on both small and large samples

- Angle-resolved reflectance measurements on small samples with no limits on the incidence angle, by using large, collimated beams from any type of light source

Main Advantages:

- Non-destructive technique

- It allows any type of optical measurements (R, T, A) under collimated or diffused illumination

- It is suited for small and large samples

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• salvatore.amicoroxas@portici.enea.it