Enhancement of optical absorption in thin-film solar cells through the excitation of higher-order nanoparticle plasmon modes
Optics Express, Vol. 17, Issue 12, pp. 10195-10205 (2009)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.17.010195
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Abstract
Recent research in the rapidly emerging field of plasmonics has shown the potential to significantly enhance light trapping inside thin-film solar cells by using metallic nanoparticles. In this article it is demonstrated the plasmon enhancement of optical absorption in amorphous silicon solar cells by using silver nanoparticles. Based on the analysis of the higher-order surface plasmon modes, it is shown how spectral positions of the surface plasmons affect the plasmonic enhancement of thin-film solar cells. By using the predictive 3D modeling, we investigate the effect of the higher-order modes on that enhancement. Finally, we suggest how to maximize the light trapping and optical absorption in the thin-film cell by optimizing the nanoparticle array parameters, which in turn can be used to fine tune the corresponding surface plasmon modes.
© 2009 Optical Society of America
OCIS Codes
(040.5350) Detectors : Photovoltaic
(240.6680) Optics at surfaces : Surface plasmons
(350.6050) Other areas of optics : Solar energy
ToC Category:
Optics at Surfaces
History
Original Manuscript: April 14, 2009
Revised Manuscript: May 25, 2009
Manuscript Accepted: May 25, 2009
Published: June 3, 2009
Citation
Yu.A. Akimov, W.S. Koh, and K. Ostrikov, "Enhancement of optical absorption in thin-film solar cells through the excitation of higher-order nanoparticle plasmon modes," Opt. Express 17, 10195-10205 (2009)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-17-12-10195
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