Metal-black scattering centers to enhance light harvesting by thin-film solar cells

Deep Panjwani; Robert E. Peale; Isaiah Oladeji; F. Khalilzadeh Rezaie; Kevin Baillie; Josh Colwell; Christopher J. Fredricksen

doi:10.1117/12.883467

17 May 2011 Metal-black scattering centers to enhance light harvesting by thin-film solar cells

Deep Panjwani, Robert E. Peale, Isaiah Oladeji, F. Khalilzadeh Rezaie, Kevin Baillie, Josh Colwell, Christopher J. Fredricksen

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8035, Energy Harvesting and Storage: Materials, Devices, and Applications II; 80350N (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.883467
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2011, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Small metal particles are investigated as scattering centers to increase the effective optical thickness of thin-film solar cells. The particular type of particles used is known as "metal-black", well known as an IR absorber for bolometric infrared detectors. Gold-black was deposited on commercial thin-film solar cells using a thermal evaporator in nitrogen ambient at pressures of ~1 Torr. A broad range of length scales, as revealed by scanning electron microscope images gives rise to effective scattering over a range of wavelengths across the solar spectrum. The solar cell efficiency was determined both as a function of wavelength and for a solar spectrum produced by a Xe lamp and appropriate filters. Up to 20% increase in short-circuit photo-current, and a 5% increase in efficiency at the maximum power point, were observed.

Citation Download Citation

Deep Panjwani, Robert E. Peale, Isaiah Oladeji, F. Khalilzadeh Rezaie, Kevin Baillie, Josh Colwell, and Christopher J. Fredricksen "Metal-black scattering centers to enhance light harvesting by thin-film solar cells", Proc. SPIE 8035, Energy Harvesting and Storage: Materials, Devices, and Applications II, 80350N (17 May 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.883467

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