Enhanced light absorption in thin-film silicon solar cells by scattering from embedded dielectric nanoparticles

We investigate the light-trapping effects of dielectric nanoparticles embedded within the active semiconductor layer of a thin-film solar cell. The baseline model consists of a 1.0 μm slab of crystalline silicon on an aluminum back contact topped with a 75 nm Si 3 N 4 anti-reflective coating. Using...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in2011 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference pp. 000911 - 000916
Main Authors Nagel, J. R., Scarpulla, M. A.
Format Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published IEEE 01.06.2011
Subjects
Absorption
Arrays
Dielectrics
Nanoparticles
Photovoltaic cells
Scattering
Silicon
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Summary:We investigate the light-trapping effects of dielectric nanoparticles embedded within the active semiconductor layer of a thin-film solar cell. The baseline model consists of a 1.0 μm slab of crystalline silicon on an aluminum back contact topped with a 75 nm Si 3 N 4 anti-reflective coating. Using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, we calculate the absorption gain due to a periodic array of SiO 2 nanospheres with characteristic depth, diameter, and pitch. Under optimal conditions, spectrally integrated absorption gain due to embedded spheres can reach as high as 23.4 % relative to the baseline geometry. Using a geometry with an Au-core and SiO 2 shell, it is even possible to reach 30% after accounting for Ohmic losses. We also discuss the trade-offs between broadband scattering efficiency, poor absorption at long-wavelengths, and semiconductor displacement due to the embedded nanospheres.
ISBN:9781424499663
1424499666
ISSN:0160-8371
DOI:10.1109/PVSC.2011.6186100