Open AccessEfficiency enhancement in GaAs solar cells using self-assembled microspheres
Author(s) -
Te Hung Chang,
Pei Hsuan Wu,
Sheng Hui Chen,
ChungHan Chan,
Cheng Chung Lee,
Chii Chang Chen,
Yan Kuin Su
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.006519
Subject(s) - finite difference time domain method , materials science , energy conversion efficiency , microsphere , optics , absorption (acoustics) , optoelectronics , scattering , electric field , photonic crystal , solar cell , photonics , light scattering , physics , quantum mechanics , chemical engineering , engineering
In this study we develop an efficient light harvesting scheme that can enhance the efficiency of GaAs solar cells using self-assembled microspheres. Based on the scattering of the microspheres and the theory of photonic crystals, the path length can be increased. In addition, the self-assembly of microspheres is one of the simplest and the fastest methods with which to build a 2D periodic structure. The experimental results are confirmed by the use of a simulation in which a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is used to analyze the absorption and electric field of the 2D periodic structure. Both the results of the numerical simulations and the experimental results show an increase in the conversion power efficiency of GaAs solar cell of about 25% when 1 microm microspheres were assembled on the surface of GaAs solar cells.