Open AccessTrapping light with micro lenses in thin film organic photovoltaic cells
Author(s) -
Kristofer Tvingstedt,
Simone Dal Zilio,
Olle Inganäs,
Massimo Tormen
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.021608
Subject(s) - materials science , optics , photocurrent , absorption (acoustics) , photovoltaic system , optoelectronics , trapping , organic solar cell , ray , thin film , plasmonic solar cell , solar cell , polymer solar cell , nanotechnology , physics , ecology , composite material , biology , polymer
We demonstrate a novel light trapping configuration based on an array of micro lenses in conjunction with a self aligned array of micro apertures located in a highly reflecting mirror. When locating the light trapping element, that displays strong directional asymmetric transmission, in front of thin film organic photovoltaic cells, an increase in cell absorption is obtained. By recycling reflected photons that otherwise would be lost, thinner films with more beneficial electrical properties can effectively be deployed. The light trapping element enhances the absorption rate of the solar cell and increases the photocurrent by as much as 25%.