Specific tools for studying the optical response of heterogeneous thin film layers

The extraordinary progresses in the design and realization of structures in inorganic or organic thin films, whether or not including nanoparticles, make it possible to develop devices with very specific properties. Mastering the links between the macroscopic optical properties and the optogeometrical parameters of these heterogeneous layers is thus a crucial issue. We propose to present the tools used to characterize and to model thin film layers, from an optical point of view, highlighting the interest of coupling both experimental and simulation studies for improving our knowledge on the optical response of the structure. Different examples of studies are presented on copper indium gallium selenide, perovskite, P3HT:ZnO, PC70BM, organic layer containing metallic nanoparticles, and colored solar cells. (C) 2017 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)