MAGNETIC NANOWIRES FOR TCO REPLACEMENT

This invention provides an optically transparent conductive layer with a desirable combination of low electrical sheet resistance and good optical transparency. The conductive layer comprises a multiplicity of magnetic nanowires in a plane, the nanowires being aligned roughly (1) parallel to each other and (2) with the long axes of the nanowires in the plane of the layer, the nanowires further being configured to provide a plurality of continuous conductive pathways, and wherein the density of the multiplicity of magnetic nanowires allows for substantial optical transparency of the conductive layer. Furthermore, the conductive layer can include an optically transparent continuous conductive film, wherein the multiplicity of magnetic nanowires are electrically connected to the continuous conductive film. A method of forming the conductive layer on a substrate includes: depositing a multiplicity of magnetic conductive nanowires on the substrate and applying a magnetic field to form the nanowires into a plurality of conductive pathways parallel to the surface of the substrate.