Gallium Arsenide Solar Cell Absorption Enhancement Using Whispering Gallery Modes of Dielectric Nanospheres

Grandidier, Jonathan; Callahan, Dennis M.; Munday, Jeremy N.; Atwater, Harry A.

doi:10.1109/jphotov.2011.2180512

Cited by 89 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…As the photon DOS is inversely proportional to the light group velocity υg = (︀ dk/dω )︀ −1 , trapped or guided modes with high photon momenta and/or flat dispersion can have DOS significantly exceeding that of bulk materials [14,[58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][80][81][82]. As a result, radiative intensity from photonic structures supporting such states can be resonantly enhanced beyond the n 2 limit of bulk dielectrics.…”

Section: The Role Of Electron and Photon Densities Of States And The mentioning

confidence: 99%

Heat meets light on the nanoscale

et al. 2016

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Abstract:We discuss the state-of-the-art and remaining challenges in the fundamental understanding and technology development for controlling light-matter interactions in nanophotonic environments in and away from thermal equilibrium. The topics covered range from the basics of the thermodynamics of light emission and absorption to applications in solar thermal energy generation, thermophotovoltaics, optical refrigeration, personalized cooling technologies, development of coherent incandescent light sources, and spinoptics.Keywords: thermal emission; absorption; spectral selectivity; angular selectivity; optical refrigeration; solar thermal energy conversion; thermophotovoltaics; nearfield heat transfer; photon density of states; thermal upconversion; radiative cooling Thermodynamics of light and heatControl and optimization of energy conversion processes involving photon absorption and radiation require detailed understanding of thermodynamic properties of radiation as well as its interaction with matter [1-5]. Historically, thermodynamic treatment of electromagnetic radiation began over a century ago with Planck applying the thermodynamic principles established for a gas of material particles to an analogous "photon gas" [1]. In particular, he showed that thermodynamic parameters, such as the energy, volume, temperature, and pressure can be applied to electromagnetic radiation, reflecting the dual wave-particle nature of photons. In this section, we will review the general thermodynamic principles governing photon propagation and interaction with matter, as well

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Section: The Role Of Electron and Photon Densities Of States And The mentioning

confidence: 99%

Heat meets light on the nanoscale

et al. 2016

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“…We demonstrated previously the interest of SiO 2 spheres directly placed on top of a-Si [1] and a gallium arsenide (GaAs) [12] solar cells. We extend this concept and compare the influence of different configurations presented in the next sections.…”

Section: Description Of the Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This third case demonstrates the interest of combined dielectric spheres and anti-reflection coatings. The strong localized modes supported and excited within the spheres [17] have a direct influence for increasing the absorption in the active layer [12].…”

Section: Comparison Between Spheres and Domesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulations of solar cell absorption enhancement using resonant modes of a nanosphere array

et al. 2012

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We propose an approach for enhancing the absorption of thin-film amorphous silicon solar cells using periodic arrangements of resonant dielectric nanospheres deposited as a continuous film on top of a thin planar cell. We numerically demonstrate this enhancement using 3D full field finite difference time domain simulations and 3D finite element device physics simulations of a nanosphere array above a thin-film amorphous silicon solar cell structure featuring back reflector and anti-reflection coating. In addition, we use the full field finite difference time domain results as input to finite element device physics simulations to demonstrate that the enhanced absorption contributes to the current extracted from the device. We study the influence of a multi-sized array of spheres, compare spheres and domes and propose an analytical model based on the temporal coupled mode theory.

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“…Different efficient and reliable avenues have been used to enhance the solar cell efficiency and reduce the cost/watt ratio [9]. In the attempt to do so, different materials have been used, such as crystalline silicon (c-Si) [10], amorphous silicon (a-Si) [11], gallium arsenide (GaAs) [12], copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) cadmium telluride (CdTe) [9,13], GaSb/GaAs quantum rings [14], organic material [15], and tandem solar cells by combining several materials [16]. The c-Si material is commercially used because it is cheap and abundant compared to other materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Trends in Plasmonic Nanowire Solar Cells

Hussein¹,

Hameed²,

Obayya³

2017

Nanowires - New Insights

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Light trapping is crucial for low-cost and highly efficient nanowire (NW) solar cells (SCs). In order to increase the light absorption through the NWSCs, plasmonic materials can be incorporated inside or above the NW design. In this regard, two novel designs of plasmonic NWSCs are reported and analyzed using 3D finite difference time domain method. The geometrical parameters of the reported designs are studied to improve their electrical and optical efficiencies. The ultimate and power conversion efficiencies (PCE) are used to quantify the conversion efficiency of the light into electricity. The first design relies on funnel shaped SiNWs with plasmonic core while the cylindrical NWs of the second design are decorated by Ag diamond shaped. The calculated ultimate efficiency and PCE of the plasmonic funnel design are equal to 44% and 18.9%, respectively with an enhancement of 43.3 % over its cylindrical NWs counterpart. This enhancement can be explained by the coupling between the three optical modes, supported by the upper cylinder, lower cone and plasmonic material. Moreover, the cylindrical SiNWs decorated by Ag diamond offer an ultimate efficiency and short-circuit current density of 25.7%, and 21.03 mA∕cm 2 , respectively with an improvement of 63% over the conventional cylindrical SiNWs.

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Gallium Arsenide Solar Cell Absorption Enhancement Using Whispering Gallery Modes of Dielectric Nanospheres

Cited by 89 publications

References 27 publications

Heat meets light on the nanoscale

Heat meets light on the nanoscale

Simulations of solar cell absorption enhancement using resonant modes of a nanosphere array

Recent Trends in Plasmonic Nanowire Solar Cells

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