Lateral collection photovoltaic (LCP) structures based on micro- and nano-collecting elements are used to collect photogenerated carriers, wherein the position of the collecting elements is determined by pattern transfer of an alternating depth trench pattern into a material to undergo solid phase crystallization: one depth corresponds to the elements of an electrode and the other depth corresponds to the elements of the counter-electrode. At least one of the metal electrode collecting elements can serve to enhance solid phase crystallization of the surrounding material in which the trenches were formed.
