Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are electrical conductive materials with comparably low absorption of electromagnetic waves within the visible region of the spectrum. They are usually prepared with thin film technologies and used in opto-electrical apparatus such as solar cells, displays, opto-electrical interfaces and circuitries. Here, based on a modern database-system, aspects of up-to-date material selections and applications for transparent conducting oxides are sketched, and references for detailed information are given. As n-type TCOs are of special importance for thin film solar cell production, indium-tin oxide (ITO) and the reasonably priced aluminum-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al), are discussed with view on preparation, characterization and special occurrences. For completion, the recently frequently mentioned typical p-type delafossite TCOs are described as well, providing a variety of references, as a detailed discussion is not reasonable within an overview publication.

No abstract

No abstract

Leaf Area Index (LAI) is an important variable for numerous processes in various disciplines of bio-and geosciences. In situ measurements are the most accurate source of LAI among the LAI measuring methods, but the in situ measurements have the limitation of being labor intensive and site specific. For spatial-explicit applications (from regional to continental scales), satellite remote sensing is a promising source for obtaining LAI with different spatial resolutions. However, satellite-derived LAI measurements using empirical models require calibration and validation with the in situ measurements. In this study, we attempted to validate a direct LAI retrieval method from remotely sensed images (RapidEye) with in situ LAI (LAIdestr). Remote sensing LAI (LAIrapideye) were derived using different vegetation indices, namely SAVI (Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index) and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). Additionally, applicability of the newly available red-edge band (RE) was also analyzed through Normalized Difference Red-Edge index (NDRE) and Soil Adjusted Red-Edge index (SARE). The LAIrapideye obtained from vegetation indices OPEN ACCESSRemote Sens. 2015, 7 2809 with red-edge band showed better correlation with LAIdestr (r = 0.88 and Root Mean Square Devation, RMSD = 1. 01 & 0.92). This study also investigated the need to apply radiometric/atmospheric correction methods to the time-series of RapidEye Level 3A data prior to LAI estimation. Analysis of the the RapidEye Level 3A data set showed that application of the radiometric/atmospheric correction did not improve correlation of the estimated LAI with in situ LAI.

An overview over the progress in sulfosalts research is given, including basic and application oriented research work. The ternary and multinary compound semiconductor family is defined. The chemical composition possibilities are given as well as an introduction to the structural systematics. The peculiarities of the complex crystal structures are outlined. The main characteristics of thermodynamic properties are given exemplarily by the SnS–Sb2S3 pseudo‐binary phase diagram. A new phase in the Sn–Sb–S system, SnSb4S7, is reported and the new crystal structure is shown. The published methods of synthesis, thin film deposition, and nanoparticle preparation are listed in tables. A detailed listing of different methods, used for sulfosalt thin film deposition is presented. Data of physical properties are collected and presented. A compilation of measured bandgaps is given. The potential of sulfosalts in possible applications and the role in actual applications are widespread. They include photovoltaic (thin film solar cells) and thermoelectric energy conversion (thermoelectric generator, Peltier elements), phase change memory (rewritable compact discs), catalysis, X‐Ray detectors, and cryoelectronics. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)