Open AccessEnhancing InGaN-based solar cell efficiency through localized surface plasmon interaction by embedding Ag nanoparticles in the absorbing layer
Author(s) -
Jyh-Yang Wang,
Fu-Ji Tsai,
Jih-Jeng Huang,
ChengYen Chen,
Nola Li,
YeanWoei Kiang,
C. C. Yang
Publication year - 2010
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.18.002682
Subject(s) - materials science , solar cell , surface plasmon resonance , optoelectronics , absorption (acoustics) , photocurrent , layer (electronics) , surface plasmon , nanoparticle , scattering , plasmonic solar cell , solar cell efficiency , optics , plasmon , polymer solar cell , nanotechnology , composite material , physics
The use of localized surface plasmon (LSP) interaction for significantly enhancing InGaN absorption near its band edge and the overall efficiency of an InGaN-based solar cell by embedding Ag nanoparticles (NPs) in the InGaN absorbing layer is numerically demonstrated. The generation of LSP resonance on the embedded Ag NPs and the NP scattering can produce a field distribution in the InGaN layer for enhancing absorption. It is shown that the embedded Ag NPs do not significantly affect the transport of the photo-generated carriers. The distortion of static electrical stream lines in the solar cell due to the embedded Ag NP leads to a decrease of photocurrent by only a few percents. Based on the material parameter values we use, unless the surface recombination velocity at the interface between the Ag NP and surrounding InGaN is extremely high, Ag NP embedment in the absorbing layer of an InGaN-based solar cell can enhance its efficiency by up to 27%. Such an increase is significantly larger than that achieved by depositing metal NP on the top surface of a solar cell.