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Absorption Enhancement in Plasmonic Solar Cells by Incorporation of Periodic Nanopatterns

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 July 2011

W. Wang ,
S. Wu ,
Y.L. Lu ,
Kitt Reinhardt  and
S.C. Chen
W. Wang
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
S. Wu
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
Y.L. Lu
Affiliation:
Laser Optics Research Center, Physics Department, United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840, USA
Kitt Reinhardt
Affiliation:
United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research, AFOSR/NE, 875 North Randolph Street, Suite 326, Arlington, VA 22203, USA
S.C. Chen
Affiliation:
NanoEngineering Department, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
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Abstract

Currently, the performances of thin film solar cells are limited by poor light absorption and carrier collection. In this research, large, broadband, and polarization-insensitive light absorption enhancement was realized via incorporation of different periodic nanopetterns. By studying the enhancement effect brought by different materials, dimensions, coverage, and dielectric environments of the metal nanopatterns, we analyzed the absorption enhancement mechanisms as well as optimization criteria for our designs. A test for totaling the absorption over the solar spectrum shows an up to ∼30% broadband absorption enhancement when comparing to conventional thin film cells.

Keywords

photovoltaicsimulationabsorption
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1322: Symposium B – Third-Generation and Emerging Solar-Cell Technologies , 2011 , mrss11-1322-b06-02
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

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References

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