Open AccessElectrical and optical performance of plasmonic silicon solar cells based on light scattering of silver and indium nanoparticles in matrix-combination
Author(s) -
WenJeng Ho,
Yi-Yu Lee,
Chia-Hua Hu,
WeiLien Wang
Publication year - 2016
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.24.017900
Subject(s) - materials science , optoelectronics , quantum efficiency , plasmon , quantum dot , plasmonic solar cell , indium , raman scattering , scattering , silicon , light scattering , optics , surface plasmon , nanoparticle , silver nanoparticle , indium gallium nitride , solar cell , raman spectroscopy , polymer solar cell , nanotechnology , gallium nitride , layer (electronics) , physics
This study demonstrates the efficacy of combining a matrix of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) with indium nanoparticles (In-NPs) to improve the electric and optical performance of plasmonic silicon solar cells. We examined the excitation of localized surface plasmons of Ag-NPs and In-NPs using surface enhanced Raman scattering measurements. Optical reflectance and external quantum efficiency (EQE) measurements demonstrate that the light scattering of Ag-NPs at short wavelengths can be improved by surrounding them with In-NPs. This also leads to high EQE band matching in the high energy band of the AM1.5G solar energy spectrum. Impressive improvements in optical reflectance and EQE response were also observed at short wavelengths. Cells with a matrix of Ag-NPs (20% surface coverage) surrounded by In-NPs (80% surface coverage) increased the overall efficiency of the cell by 31.83%, as confirmed by photovoltaic current density-voltage characterization under AM 1.5 G illumination.