Cd_1−xZn_xS/CuInSe₂ solar cells having efficiencies in the range of 2·3% were fabricated by spray pyrolysis. The best cell had the following parameters:V_oc = 305 mV,J_sc = 32 mA/cm², FF = 0·32 area = 0·4 cm² and efficiency = 3·149%.V_oc versus temperature measurements showed that the electron affinity difference was 0·22 eV. Forward dark current versus voltage curves were plotted and a possible current mechanism occurring in these cells has been proposed.

Highly transparent and highly conducting films of SnO₂:F were prepared by chemical vapour deposition technique. The films prepared at 350°C substrate temperature and 2·5 lit. min⁻¹ flow rate of oxygen showed maximum figure of merit. The optimum doping concentration of fluorine was 1·02 wt%. The Hall experiment showed that the films prepared at optimum conditions had high carrier concentration and high mobility.

CdSe films on titanium have been prepared by spray pyrolysis and characterized by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photon spectroscopy. Photoelectrochemical solar cells with 4·84% conversion efficiency have been fabricated using these electrodes. Spectral response studies indicate absorption at sub-band gap energies. The band gap of CdSe as determined from photo-current studies was 1·66 eV. The flat band potential measured gives a value of −1·54 V with reference to SCE for electrodes prepared using cadmium chloride and selenourea in the 1:1 ratio.

The samples of SR-86 polymer were irradiated with¹²C⁵⁺ ions of energy 5·0 MeV/u using fluences of 10¹¹−10¹⁴ ions/cm² at NSC Pelletron in a high vacuum scattering chamber. The optical studies show an increase in absorption of UV or IR in the shorter wavelength region (250–500 nm). The study also reveals that the increase in radiation dose extends the optical absorption region to longer wavelengths. It is observed that the bulk etch rate of this polymer is enhanced after heavy ion irradiation.