Nanoparticle scattering for multijunction solar cells

A. Mellor; N. P. Hylton; O. Höhn; C. Wellens; H. Hauser; T. Thomas; Y. Al-Saleh; N. Tucher; E. Oliva; B. Bläsi; N. J. Ekins-Daukes; S. A. Maier

doi:10.1117/12.2228589

29 April 2016 Nanoparticle scattering for multijunction solar cells

A. Mellor, N. P. Hylton, O. Höhn, C. Wellens, H. Hauser, T. Thomas, Y. Al-Saleh, N. Tucher, E. Oliva, B. Bläsi, N. J. Ekins-Daukes, S. A. Maier

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9898, Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI; 989809 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2228589
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2016, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

We investigate the integration of Al nanoparticle arrays into the anti-reflection coatings (ARCs) of commercial triple-junction GaInP/ In0.01GaAs /Ge space solar cells, and study their effect on the radiation-hardness. It is postulated that the presence of nanoparticle arrays can improve the radiation-hardness of space solar cells by scattering incident photons obliquely into the device, causing charger carriers to be photogenerated closer to the junction, and hence improving the carrier collection efficiency in the irradiation-damaged subcells. The Al nanoparticle arrays were successfully embedded in the ARCs, over large areas, using nanoimprint lithography: a replication technique with the potential for high throughput and low cost. Irradiation testing showed that the presence of the nanoparticles did not improve the radiation-hardness of the solar cells, so the investigated structure has proven not to be ideal in this context. Nonetheless, this paper reports on the details and results of the nanofabrication to inform about future integration of alternative light-scattering structures into multi-junction solar cells or other optoelectronic devices.

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A. Mellor, N. P. Hylton, O. Höhn, C. Wellens, H. Hauser, T. Thomas, Y. Al-Saleh, N. Tucher, E. Oliva, B. Bläsi, N. J. Ekins-Daukes, and S. A. Maier "Nanoparticle scattering for multijunction solar cells", Proc. SPIE 9898, Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI, 989809 (29 April 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2228589

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KEYWORDS

Nanoparticles

Solar cells

Nanoimprint lithography

External quantum efficiency

Aluminum

Reflectivity

Germanium

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