The 3D Amlouk–Boubaker expansivity–energy gap–Vickers hardness abacus: A new tool for optimizing semiconductor thin film materials

In this study, we propose a new abacus based on a synthetic parameter: the Amlouk–Boubaker expansivity ψAB. This abacus gathers the band gap energy Eg., Vickers microhardness and ψAB. This abacus is presented as a guide to evaluate and optimize photovoltaic–thermal semiconductor thin films thermal and optical performance. The definition of this parameter ψAB takes into account the thermal diffusivity and the optical effective absorptivity of the material. As a first approximation, this parameter, could be considered as a 3D velocity of the transmitted heat inside the material.New functional semiconductor materials have been significantly classified using this abacus.