High symmetry nano-photonic quasi-crystals providing novel light management in silicon solar cells

Mercier, Thomas M.; Rahman, Tasmiat; Krishnan, Chirenjeevi; Khorani, Edris; Shaw, Peter J.; Pollard, Michael E.; Boden, Stuart A.; Lagoudakis, Pavlos G.; Charlton, Martin D. B.

doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.105874

Cited by 24 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…The use of PhC in photovoltaic devices can increase the absorption rate as PhC has the unique property of trapping light. In an article published in 2021, Mercier et al 155 proposed a PhC structure superimposed on the top surface of the solar cell to minimize the reflectance losses. The introduction of photonic quasicrystal nanostructuring can reduce effective average reflectance significantly.…”

Section: Phc-based Solar Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fabrication techniques and applications of two-dimensional photonic crystal: history and the present status

2022

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The idea of photonic crystal came to be when E. Yablonovitch and S. John recommended a structure in 1987 having periodic alteration of refractive index in one or multiple directions. Photonic crystals have the potential to manipulate and tailor the flow of light across the crystal, which gives advantage to invent many photonic devices on the microscopic scale having very small footprints. In recent years several articles have been published on the advances of photonic crystal-based structures. This review article mainly focuses on the several fabrication techniques of photonic crystals and their applications in different fields. Several photonic crystalbased structures such as logic gates, optical sensors, polarization beam splitters, and absorbers for solar cells are reviewed in this paper to show recent advancements on this trending topic. Also, a brief review of the different steps of fabrication of photonic crystals and different fabrication methods proposed by researchers is articulated in this paper.

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Section: Phc-based Solar Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fabrication techniques and applications of two-dimensional photonic crystal: history and the present status

2022

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“…While it will take time for solar cells to fully replace or significantly supplement the conventional energy options, relentless efforts are being made to improve cost efficiency of solar cells. Considerable recent progress driven by material development − and nanophotonic engineering − raised expectations for a significant amount of electricity generated by solar cells in the near future. As a promising example, the cells based on new emerging materials such as perovskite solar cells are rapidly improving with the best cell efficiency greater than ≈26%, exceeding the performance of traditional solar cell technologies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a promising example, the cells based on new emerging materials such as perovskite solar cells are rapidly improving with the best cell efficiency greater than ≈26%, exceeding the performance of traditional solar cell technologies. A significant enhancement of optical and electrical properties of solar cells has also been achieved with nanophotonic materials, such as metallic particles, ,,, dielectric scatterers, ,,, and semiconductor nanostructures. ,− ,− …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanoscale Characterization of Photocurrent and Photovoltage in Polycrystalline Solar Cells

Yoon

Park

et al. 2023

J. Phys. Chem. C

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We investigate the role of grain structures in nanoscale carrier dynamics of polycrystalline solar cells. By using Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and near-field scanning photocurrent microscopy (NSPM) techniques, we characterize nanoscopic photovoltage and photocurrent patterns of inorganic CdTe and organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells. For CdTe solar cells, we analyze the nanoscale electric power patterns that are created by correlating nanoscale photovoltage and photocurrent maps on the same location. Distinct relations between the sample preparation conditions and the nanoscale photovoltaic properties of microscopic CdTe grain structures are observed. The same techniques are applied for characterization of a perovskite solar cell. It is found that a moderate amount of PbI2 near grain boundaries leads to the enhanced photogenerated carrier collections at grain boundaries. Finally, the capabilities and the limitations of the nanoscale techniques are discussed.

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“…Srivastava et al 11 reported a simple and fast nanoscale texturing using silver assisted wet chemical etching, aiming at reduced reflection. Mercier et al 12 attempted a similar effect by performing deep etching of complex semi-random photonic quasi-crystal patterns into a solar cell surface.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shell-shaped active layers for omnidirectional organic photovoltaic cells

Hah

2022

J. Photon. Energy

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.For the employment of organic photovoltaic cells in wearable electronic systems, improvements in energy conversion efficiency and omnidirectionality (angular coverage) are highly appreciated. This study aims at those improvements by introducing shell-shaped active layers. The proposed device structures enhance light absorption and angular range through light coupling to guided modes in the active layer. Two shapes, i.e., a triangle and a semicircle, are examined for the shell cross-sections. Numerical simulation using finite-element analysis and finite-difference time-domain methods demonstrates that the devices with the triangular-shell-shaped active layers exhibit an average absorption enhancement of up to 63% for transverse electric (TE)-polarization and up to 32% for transverse magnetic (TM)-polarization when compared with the flat active layers of the same thicknesses. The average enhancements of the semicircular-shell-shaped active layers are found to be slightly lower than those values, with 60% for TE and 28% for TM. The examined structures also show good omnidirectionality with decent absorption up to an 81 deg incidence angle for the triangular-shell-shaped device and up to a 76 deg angle for the semicircular one when TM polarization is considered. These absorption enhancements and improved angular coverages make the proposed structures highly attractive for wearable electronic system applications.

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High symmetry nano-photonic quasi-crystals providing novel light management in silicon solar cells

Cited by 24 publications

References 49 publications

Fabrication techniques and applications of two-dimensional photonic crystal: history and the present status

Fabrication techniques and applications of two-dimensional photonic crystal: history and the present status

Nanoscale Characterization of Photocurrent and Photovoltage in Polycrystalline Solar Cells

Shell-shaped active layers for omnidirectional organic photovoltaic cells

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