Photovoltaic semiconductor devices and associated methods

Photovoltaic semiconductor devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method of making a photovoltaic semiconductor device having enhanced electromagnetic radiation absorption can include applying a damage removal etch (DRE) to a semiconductor material to an RMS surface roughness of from about 0.5 nm to about 50 nm and texturing a single side of the semiconductor material. The texturing further includes irradiating a target region of the semiconductor material with laser radiation to create features having a size of from about 50 nm to about 10 microns.