Optically transparent and electrically conducting oxides (TCOs)

© Fraunhofer IWM

Touchscreens are now a common feature of smartphones, tablets or ticket machines. An important component in these screens is the oxide layer that is both transparent and conducting. TCOs (transparent conducting oxides) are also used as solar cell contacts and in heated windows. The IWM provides support for the development and optimization of TCOs in the form of atomic-scale simulations. This makes it possible to assess and predict the effect of (poly-) crystalline or amorphous structures and the effect of doping.