Photon management and particularly the broadband absorption of the solar radiation is important to a plethora of technological applications. Light trapping concerns with the capture of photons from an impinging electromagnetic wave and it is a fundamental phenomenon with important technological applications particularly in the field of solar energy conversion. Light trapping is particularly interesting for photovoltaic applications as it introduces additional strategy towards ultra-thin photovoltaic cells. Ultra-thin solar cells with absorption comparable to bulk solar cells, directly lead to lower recombination currents, higher open circuit voltages and therefore higher photovoltaic efficiencies, as well as allow the commercialization of photovoltaic cells based on scarce materials.

The power conversion efficiency of photovoltaic systems depends both on the generation of high short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage. Two- and three- dimensional surface arrangements of subwavelength formations are intimately associated with competent broadband omnidirectional anti-reflection and light trapping properties inducing high short-circuit enhancement for photovoltaic applications. Recently, it was also suggested that advanced nanophotonic engineering based on surface arrangements can provide a potential for open-circuit voltage improvement, as well. The potential topics in this Methods Collection are focused but not limited to the following aspects:

1. Photovoltaics
2. Hybrid solar cells
3. Subwavelength features
4. Photon management
5. Light trapping
6. Metamaterials
7. Nanophotonic