Open AccessSubstrate-modified scattering properties of silicon nanostructures for solar energy applications
Author(s) -
Nche Tumasang Fofang,
Ting S. Luk,
Murat Okandan,
Gregory N. Nielson,
Igal Brener
Publication year - 2013
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.21.004774
Subject(s) - silicon , materials science , substrate (aquarium) , scattering , optics , optoelectronics , plasmonic solar cell , light scattering , nanostructure , solar cell , nanotechnology , monocrystalline silicon , physics , oceanography , geology
Enhanced light trapping is an attractive technique for improving the efficiency of thin film silicon solar cells. In this paper, we use FDTD simulations to study the scattering properties of silicon nanostructures on a silicon substrate and their application as enhanced light trappers. We find that the scattered spectrum and angular scattering distribution strongly depend on the excitation direction, that is, from air to substrate or from substrate to air. At the dipole resonance wavelength the scattering angles tend to be very narrow compared to those of silicon nanostructures in the absence of a substrate. Based on these properties, we propose a new thin film silicon solar cell design incorporating silicon nanostructures on both the front and back surfaces for enhanced light trapping.