Advanced light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells

M Zeman, O Isabella, K Jaeger, S Solntsev, R Liang, R Santbergen, J Krc

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Photon management is one of the key issues for improving the performance of thin-film silicon solar cells. An important part of the photon management is light trapping that helps to confine photons inside the thin absorber layers. At present light trapping is accomplished by the employment of the refractive-index matching layers at the front side and the high-reflective layers at the back contact of the solar cells and scattering of light at randomly surface-textured interfaces. In this article key issues and potential of light management in thin-film silicon solar cells are addressed. Novel approaches for light trapping are presented such as i) surface textures based on periodic diffraction gratings and modulated surface morphologies for enhanced scattering and anti-reflection, ii) metal nano-particles introducing plasmonic scattering, and iii) one-dimensional photonic-crystal-like structures for back reflectors.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmorphous and polycrystalline thin-film silicon science and technology 2010
EditorsQ Wang, B Yan, S Higashi, CC Tsai, A Flewitt
Place of PublicationWarrendale, USA
PublisherMRS
Pages1-12
Number of pages12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010
EventMRS 2010, Materials Research Society Spring Meeting, San Fransisco, USA - Warrendale, USA
Duration: 5 Apr 20109 Apr 2010

Publication series

Name
PublisherMRS
Name
Volume1245

Conference

ConferenceMRS 2010, Materials Research Society Spring Meeting, San Fransisco, USA
Period5/04/109/04/10

Keywords

  • conference contrib. refereed
  • Conf.proc. > 3 pag

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