Enhanced Omnidirectional Optical Absorption in a Nanopatterned Silicon Thin Film for Photovoltaic Applications

Abstract:

We show that the optical absorption in thin-film photovoltaic cells can be enhanced by texturing the silicon absorbing layer into nanostructured array. The optical absorption of the proposed configuration is enhanced by 70% compared to a nonpatterned silicon thin film of the same thickness. Furthermore, the proposed silicon thin film PV cell has a good angle-independent response of up to 60°. The omnidirectional absorbance enhancement of the nanopatterned silicon thin film is attributed to its unusual light trapping mechanism and omnidirectional bandgap.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 512-515)
• Pages: 234-237
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.512-515.234
• Online since: May 2012
• Authors: Hai Lu, Chun Hua Xue, Hong Chen
• Keywords: Light Trapping, Nanostructure, Silicon, Thin Film Photovoltaic Cell

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