Three-dimensional in situ photocurrent mapping for nanowire photovoltaics

Devices based upon semiconductor nanowires provide many well-known advantages for next-generation photovoltaics, however, limited experimental techniques exist to determine essential electrical parameters within these devices. We present a novel application of a technique based upon two-photon induced photocurrent that provides a submicrometer resolution, three-dimensional reconstruction of photovoltaic parameters. This tool is used to characterize two GaAs nanowire-based devices, revealing the detail of current generation and collection, providing a path toward achieving the promise of nanowire-based photovoltaic devices.