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Solution processing of CuInSe 2 /CuInGaSe 2 (CISe/CIGSe) photovoltaic devices via non-hydrazine based routes has been studied for the past few years and a significant improvement in the device performance has been achieved for multiple solvent routes. However, none of these routes have ever reported the fabrication of absorbers with a thickness of above 1.2–1.3 microns which is almost half of what has been traditionally used in vacuum based high efficiency CIGSe devices. The main reason for this limitation is associated with the formation of a fine-grain layer in solution based systems. Here we manipulate the formation of such a fine-grain layer in an amine–thiol based solution route through surface modifications at the bottom Mo interface and achieve an active area efficiency of up to 14.1% for CIGSe devices. Furthermore, with a detailed analysis of the fine-grain layer, not just in the amine–thiol based film, but also in the film fabricated via the dimethylformamide-thiourea route, we identify the reason for the formation of such a fine-grain layer as the presence of the sulfide material and carbon impurity (if any) in the precursor film. We utilize the amine–thiol solvent system's ability for selenium and metal selenide dissolution to manipulate the ink formulations and demonstrate the reduction in the formation of sulfide materials as well as the extent of trapped carbon in the precursor film. With modified precursor films, we then successfully grow CISe/CIGSe thin films of 2-micron thickness with the complete absence of a fine-grain layer through a high temperature, thickness independent bulk growth mechanism making the film morphology similar to the one fabricated using a high efficiency hydrazine based route. 

A dielectric mirror with high infrared reflection and high visible transmission, based on an easily fabricated stepped index rugate filter structure, is presented. Its fabrication involves sputtering depositions, using only two targets, to make five different material compositions. The ultra-wide reflection band is tunable in both position and width, adapting the thickness of the layers and eventually introducing chirped layers. When applied to evacuated solar thermal devices, efficiency improvements of up to 30% can be achieved, making this mirror an attractive solution for reducing radiative losses through the cold-side photon recycling mechanism.