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Nanoparticle‐enhanced light trapping in thin‐film silicon solar cells
Author(s) -
Ouyang Zi,
Zhao Xiang,
Varlamov Sergey,
Tao Yuguo,
Wong Johnson,
Pillai Supriya
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/pip.1135
Subject(s) - materials science , nanoparticle , plasmonic solar cell , silicon , photocurrent , optoelectronics , trapping , magnesium fluoride , short circuit , plasmon , annealing (glass) , nanotechnology , thin film , layer (electronics) , composite material , monocrystalline silicon , voltage , ecology , physics , quantum mechanics , biology
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%. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.