Laminate structure with embedded cavities for use with solar cells and related method of manufacture

An integrated laminate structure for a solar cell, comprising:

• a first carrier element, configured as an entirely flat, planar element,
• a second carrier element, configured as a flat, planar element in which at least one recessed surface relief pattern is formed, wherein the at least one recessed surface relief pattern comprises a number of surface relief forms configured to establish flat junction areas with the first carrier element and thereby having flat contact surfaces, and a number of associated recesses alternating with the surface relief forms,
• wherein said first and said second carrier elements are composed of an optically substantially transparent material enabling light transmission therethrough,
• wherein, upon formation of the integrated laminate structure by joining the first carrier element and the second carrier element together, the at least one recessed surface relief pattern has been embedded within the integrated laminate structure, whereby at least one embedded relief pattern comprising a number of optically functional cavities has been formed at an interface between the entirely flat and planar first carrier element and the at least one surface relief pattern of the second carrier element,
• wherein said at least one embedded relief pattern is configured to have the surface relief forms and associated cavities causing to trap external light incident thereto and redirecting or reflecting it towards the solar cell and to back-couple light internally reflected back to the direction it arrived from;
• and
• wherein the integrated laminate structure is integrated with the solar cell by applying it on a top surface, some internal surface or directly on a silicon surface/solar cell surface, wherein the solar cell incorporates one or more layers of semiconductor material.