Optimal design of laterally assembled hexagonal silicon nanowires for broadband absorption enhancement in ultrathin solar cells

Mojtaba Shahraki; Mohammad Reza Salehi; Ebrahim Abiri

doi:10.1117/1.OE.54.11.115102

2 November 2015 Optimal design of laterally assembled hexagonal silicon nanowires for broadband absorption enhancement in ultrathin solar cells

Mojtaba Shahraki, Mohammad Reza Salehi, Ebrahim Abiri

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 54, Issue 11, 115102 (November 2015). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.54.11.115102

Abstract

Design approaches to carry out broadband absorption in laterally assembled hexagonal silicon nanowire (NW) solar cells are investigated. Two different methods are proposed to improve the current density of silicon NW solar cells. It is observed that the key to the broadband absorption is disorder and irregularity. The first approach to reach the broadband absorption is using multiple NWs with different geometries. Nevertheless, the maximum enhancement is obtained by introducing irregular NWs. They can support more cavity modes, while scattering by NWs leads to broadening of the absorption spectra. An array of optimized irregular NWs also has preferable features compared to other broadband structures. Using irregular NW arrays, it is possible to improve the absorption enhancement of solar cells without introducing more absorbing material.

Citation Download Citation

Mojtaba Shahraki, Mohammad Reza Salehi, and Ebrahim Abiri "Optimal design of laterally assembled hexagonal silicon nanowires for broadband absorption enhancement in ultrathin solar cells," Optical Engineering 54(11), 115102 (2 November 2015). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.54.11.115102

Published: 2 November 2015

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