Integrating photonic crystals in thin film silicon photovoltaics

P. G. O'Brien; A. Chutinan; G. A. Ozin; N. P Kherani; S. Zukotynski

doi:10.1117/12.873003

22 September 2010 Integrating photonic crystals in thin film silicon photovoltaics

P. G. O'Brien, A. Chutinan, G. A. Ozin, N. P Kherani, S. Zukotynski

Proceedings Volume 7750, Photonics North 2010; 77502U (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.873003
Event: Photonics North 2010, 2010, Niagara Falls, Canada

Abstract

Wave-optics analysis is performed to investigate the benefits of integrating photonic crystals into micromorph cells. Specifically, we theoretically investigate two novel micromorph cells which integrate photonic crystals and compare their optical performance with that of conventional micromorph cells. In the first innovative micromorph cell configuration the intermediate reflector is a selectively transparent and conducting photonic crystal (STCPC). In the second micromorph cell its bottom μc-Si:H cell is structured in the form of an inverted opal. Our results show that with the AM1.5 solar spectrum at normal incidence the current generated in a conventional micromorph cell is increased from 12.1 mA/cm2 to 13.0 mA/cm2 when the bottom μc-Si:H cell is structured in the form of an inverted opal. However, the current generated in the micromorph cell can be increased to as much as 13.7 mA/cm2 when an STCPC is utilized as the intermediate reflector. Furthermore, the thickness of the μc-Si:H opal must be relatively large in order to absorb a sufficient amount of the solar irradiance, which is expected to degrade the electrical performance of the device. In contrast, our results suggest that STCPC intermediate reflectors are a viable technology that could potentially enhance the performance of micromorph cells.

Citation Download Citation

P. G. O'Brien, A. Chutinan, G. A. Ozin, N. P Kherani, and S. Zukotynski "Integrating photonic crystals in thin film silicon photovoltaics", Proc. SPIE 7750, Photonics North 2010, 77502U (22 September 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.873003

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