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Theoretical investigation of “nano-muffin” and inverted nano-pyramid surface textures for energy harvesting in very thin c-Si solar cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2014

Puqun Wang ,
Sara Azimi ,
Mark B H Breese  and
Marius Peters
Puqun Wang
Affiliation:
Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore, Block E3A, #06-01, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117574 NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), Centre for Life Sciences (CeLS), #05-01, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117456
Sara Azimi
Affiliation:
Physics Department, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117551
Mark B H Breese
Affiliation:
Physics Department, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117551
Marius Peters
Affiliation:
Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore, Block E3A, #06-01, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117574
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Abstract

Nano-scale surface textures have been developed as photon management schemes for crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells with very thin absorber layers to compensate for light absorption losses. This paper investigates the optical properties of periodic “nano-muffin” and inverted nano-pyramid surface textures, simulated using the Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis (RCWA) method. Obtained results are compared against those of a planar silicon film with equal thickness. The simulation results demonstrate that “nano-muffin” and inverted nano-pyramid surface textures with a small aspect ratio are able to achieve substantial absorption enhancement over a broadband wavelength range. Further investigation indicates that “nano-muffin” surface textures could trap light by concentrating light within a volume close to the texture (micro-lensing effect). With such nano-scale textures, light trapping similar to that of much larger scale textures can be achieved.

Keywords

nanostructureSisimulation
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1638: Symposium W – Next-Generation Inorganic Thin-Film Photovoltaics , 2014 , mrsf13-1638-w05-20
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2014 

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