Abstract

Forward-scattering efficiency (FSE) is first proposed when an Ag nanoparticle serves as the light-trapping structure for thin-film (TF) solar cells because the Ag nanoparticle's light-trapping efficiency lies on the light-scattering direction of metal nanoparticles. Based on FSE analysis of Ag nanoparticles with radii of 53 and 88 nm, the forward-scattering spectra and light-trapping efficiencies are calculated. The contributions of dipole and quadrupole modes to light-trapping effect are also analyzed quantitatively. When the surface coverage of Ag nanoparticles is 5%, light-trapping efficiencies are 15.5% and 32.3%, respectively, for 53- and 88-nm Ag nanoparticles. Results indicate that the plasmon quadrupole mode resonance of Ag nanoparticles could further enhance the light-trapping effect for TF solar cells.

© 2011 Chinese Optics Letters

Enhancement of optical absorption in thin-film solar cells through the excitation of higher-order nanoparticle plasmon modes

Yu.A. Akimov, W.S. Koh, and K. Ostrikov
Opt. Express 17(12) 10195-10205 (2009)

Enhanced efficiency of light-trapping nanoantenna arrays for thin-film solar cells

Constantin Simovski, Dmitry Morits, Pavel Voroshilov, Michael Guzhva, Pavel Belov, and Yuri Kivshar
Opt. Express 21(S4) A714-A725 (2013)

Spin-coated Ag nanoparticles for enhancing light absorption of thin film a-Si:H solar cells

Chan Il Yeo, Jang Hun Choi, Joon Beom Kim, Jeong Chul Lee, and Yong Tak Lee
Opt. Mater. Express 4(2) 346-351 (2014)

Optimal design of light trapping in thin-film solar cells enhanced with graded SiN_x and SiO_xN_y structure

Yongxiang Zhao, Fei Chen, Qiang Shen, and Lianmeng Zhang
Opt. Express 20(10) 11121-11136 (2012)

Enhanced light trapping in thin-film solar cells by a directionally selective filter

Carolin Ulbrich, Marius Peters, Benedikt Bläsi, Thomas Kirchartz, Andreas Gerber, and Uwe Rau
Opt. Express 18(S2) A133-A138 (2010)