Nanoparticle enhanced light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells

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Title: Nanoparticle enhanced light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells
Author(s): Ouyang, Zi; Zhao, Xiang; Varlamov, Sergey; Tao, Yuguo; Wong, Johnson; Pillai, Supriya
Abstract: A systematic investigation of the nanoparticle-enhanced light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells is reported. The nanoparticles are fabricated by annealing a thin Ag film on the cell surface. An optimisation roadmap for the plasmon-enhanced light-trapping scheme for self-assembled Ag metal nanoparticles is presented, including a comparison of rear-located and front-located nanoparticles, an optimisation of the precursor Ag film thickness, an investigation on different conditions of the nanoparticle dielectric environment and a combination of nanoparticles with other supplementary back-surface reflectors. Significant photocurrent enhancements have been achieved because of high scattering and coupling efficiency of the Ag nanoparticles into the silicon device. For the optimum light-trapping scheme, a short-circuit current enhancement of 27% due to Ag nanoparticles is achieved, increasing to 44% for a “nanoparticle/magnesium fluoride/diffuse paint” back-surface reflector structure. This is 6% higher compared with our previously reported plasmonic short-circuit current enhancement of 38%.
Publication type: Journal article
Source: Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, Vol. 19, no. 8 (Dec 2011), pp. 917-926
Publication year: 2011
FOR Code(s): 0204 Condensed Matter Physics; 0912 Materials Engineering; 0999 Other Engineering
Keyword(s): Nanoparticles; Light trapping; Thin films; Silicon solar cells
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISSN: 1099-159X
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pip.1135
Peer reviewed