Simulations of solar cell absorption enhancement using resonant modes of a nanosphere array

Jonathan Grandidier; Michael G. Deceglie; Dennis M. Callahan; Harry A. Atwater

doi:10.1117/12.909677

21 February 2012 Simulations of solar cell absorption enhancement using resonant modes of a nanosphere array

Jonathan Grandidier, Michael G. Deceglie, Dennis M. Callahan, Harry A. Atwater

Proceedings Volume 8256, Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices; 825603 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.909677
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2012, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

We propose an approach for enhancing the absorption of thin-film amorphous silicon solar cells using periodic arrangements of resonant dielectric nanospheres deposited as a continuous film on top of a thin planar cell. We numerically demonstrate this enhancement using 3D full field finite difference time domain simulations and 3D finite element device physics simulations of a nanosphere array above a thin-film amorphous silicon solar cell structure featuring back reflector and anti-reflection coating. In addition, we use the full field finite difference time domain results as input to finite element device physics simulations to demonstrate that the enhanced absorption contributes to the current extracted from the device. We study the influence of a multi-sized array of spheres, compare spheres and domes and propose an analytical model based on the temporal coupled mode theory.

Citation Download Citation

Jonathan Grandidier, Michael G. Deceglie, Dennis M. Callahan, and Harry A. Atwater "Simulations of solar cell absorption enhancement using resonant modes of a nanosphere array", Proc. SPIE 8256, Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices, 825603 (21 February 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.909677

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