Broadband and Omnidirectional Antireflection Surfaces Based on Deep Subwavelength Features for Harvesting of the Solar Energy

Prajapati, A. K.; Llobet, Jordi; Sousa, P.C.; Fonseca, Hélder; Calaza, C.; Shalev, Gil

doi:10.1002/solr.202100548

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 64 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The Bosch process allows for accurate tuning of the DSSS geometry (e.g., H dsss and W dsss ) by management of the various dry etch parameters. In this way, a deterministic fabrication of DSSS is possible. ,, One main concern in DSSS arrays is the increase in surface area which will result in higher surface recombination and lower photovoltage performance. Recently, surface passivation techniques demonstrated efficient surface passivation to provide surface recombination values as low as 10 cm/s which can address the concern of higher surface area .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The 4 n 2 limit is based on geometrical optics, and it pursues surface decoration of both sides of the thin film in order to increase the optical power in the film. More recently, it was suggested and demonstrated that the 4 n 2 limit can be exceeded if surface decoration with subwavelength structures is employed. − Various light trapping mechanisms were identified to produce broadband absorption enhancement of the sun power with surface subwavelength arrays: low optical impedance using arrays of nanocones and black silicon, − forward scattering by surface Mie resonators, increase in local density of states, excitations of Bloch modes, light trapping driven by light concentration and the utilization of nanolenses and light funnels, − excitations of localized Mie resonances, ,, and so forth.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, it was suggested and demonstrated how the incorporation of deep subwavelength features into subwavelength arrays can further amplify the optical harvesting of the solar spectrum. ,,− Specifically, the incorporation of deep subwavelength sidewall scalloping (DSSS) into the well-known nanopillar (NP) arrays yields significant enhancement in the omnidirectional and broadband absorption of the solar radiation. ,− The motivation for the incorporation of DSSS could be traced back to Yablonovitch’s seminal work on light trapping. Following Yablonovitch’s work, surface decoration is required in order to trap light more efficiently.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Light Trapping in Silicon Arrays of Deep Subwavelength Features for Absorption of the Solar Radiation

Prajapati

Shalev

2023

ACS Appl. Energy Mater.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Absorption of the sun spectrum in silicon thin films is imperative to a range of technologies concerned with harvesting of the solar energy. Silicon surfaces decorated with subwavelength structures offer an attractive paradigm for the generation of broadband absorption enhancement. The integration of additional deep subwavelength features can provide further enhancement in broadband absorption. It was recently shown that the incorporation of nanopillar arrays with deep subwavelength sidewall structures (DSSS) can increase the omnidirectional broadband absorption performance. These arrays are referred to as DSSS arrays. In the current work, a numerical examination of the underlying light trapping mechanisms of such systems is presented. It is shown that the incorporation of DSSS concludes increase in the absorption cross-section of the individual structures composing the arrays. Particularly, enhanced absorption cross-section is obtained for sparse arrays which is indicative that the DSSS induces additional scattering inside the individual structures. In dense nanopillar arrays, the absorption cross-section decreases but the overall broadband absorption of the arrays increases due to the increase in material density. In dense DSSS arrays, further enhancement in broadband absorption, compared with the NP arrays, is calculated due to optical interactions between adjacent structures which yield an elevated absorption cross-section. Overall, the increase in broadband absorption in compact DSSS arrays is on account of the elevated light trapping induced by the DSSS; the presence of DSSS increases both the scattering inside the individual structures as well as the scattering between adjacent structures.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Light Trapping in Silicon Arrays of Deep Subwavelength Features for Absorption of the Solar Radiation

Prajapati

Shalev

2023

ACS Appl. Energy Mater.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A metascreen is a remarkable optical material that possesses the ability to manipulate the properties of electromagnetic (EM) waves by selectively transmitting, reflecting, and absorbing specific wavelengths. Its unique characteristics have spurred research and development in various exciting fields, including solar power systems, [ 1–4 ] telecommunications, [ 5–8 ] energy, [ 9–11 ] sensors, [ 12–14 ] and camouflage. [ 15–22 ] Many researchers have explored the applications of metamaterials using various principles, such as intrinsic materials, [ 23–25 ] optical cavity, [ 11,26–30 ] and particle resonance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visibly Transparent Multifunctional Metascreen for Tunable Infrared Coloration and Microwave Transmission

Chang,

Nam,

Lim

et al. 2024

Laser & Photonics Reviews

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Metascreens are remarkable optical materials that have attracted significant research interest owing to their ability to manipulate electromagnetic waves by selectively transmitting, reflecting, and absorbing specific wavelengths. The present study introduces a new metascreen concept called visibly transparent multifunctional metascreen (VTMM), which is capable of simultaneously transmitting visible light, selectively transmitting microwaves, and modulating infrared (IR) emissions, all through a single surface. The VTMM is fabricated by patterning a thin metal film in a square‐loop pattern on a transparent substrate, resulting in frequency‐selective transmission characteristics in the X‐band and visible transparency. Before demonstrating independent control of the visible and IR coloration of the VTMM by varying the metal film thickness and using color backgrounds, the visible and IR coloration characteristics of the ultrathin metal film on glass (MFG) are analyzed. Based on the findings, the VTMM preserves optical images behind the metascreen while reducing the average IR signature from 89.0 to 69.3 W m−2 sr‐1, with up to 23.5% reduction compared to a glass substrate, as the metal film thickness increases from 40 to 100 nm is confirmed. Furthermore, the designed selective transmission characteristics are shown to remain consistent across varying metal film thicknesses.

show abstract

“…A novel and efficient surface-trapping technology has attracted the attention of researchers. Wang et al used an effective light-coupling method, in which a periodic quasi-hemisphere micro-nanostructure was prepared on the front glass surface to improve the property in thin-membrane solar cells [30][31][32]. This process does not require a change in the processing technology of thin-film solar cells with a flat glass substrate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Light-Trapping Character of Pit Arrays on the Surface of Solar Cells

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Surfaces with light-trapping structures are widely used in solar cells to enhance light capturing and to transform efficiency. The study of light-trapping character is important for light-trapping structures in solar cells. In the present study, the light-trapping character for the regular hemisphere pit arrays (RHPAs) in solar cells was intensively investigated in terms of reducing light reflection, suppressing light escape, and increasing the length of the optical path. Results show that the RHPAs can decrease surface reflectivity by ~54% compared with the plane structure, and can reflect ~33% of the light that has not been absorbed back into the absorption layer of the solar cell. The total optical path of the cell with the RHPAs structure remarkably increased from 2ω to 4ω. To verify the theoretical research conclusions, we produced the glass structure samples with different aspect ratios by using micro/nanometer-processing technology. The reflection ratios for silicon wafers covered by plane and RHPAs glass samples were tested. The test results were compared with the theoretical calculation results, which showed consistency.

show abstract

Broadband and Omnidirectional Antireflection Surfaces Based on Deep Subwavelength Features for Harvesting of the Solar Energy

Abstract: The ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under https://doi.org/10.1002/solr.202100548.

Cited by 12 publications

References 64 publications

Light Trapping in Silicon Arrays of Deep Subwavelength Features for Absorption of the Solar Radiation

Light Trapping in Silicon Arrays of Deep Subwavelength Features for Absorption of the Solar Radiation

Visibly Transparent Multifunctional Metascreen for Tunable Infrared Coloration and Microwave Transmission

The Light-Trapping Character of Pit Arrays on the Surface of Solar Cells

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About