Minimizing light reflection from dielectric textured surfaces

Abstract

In this paper, we consider antireflective properties of textured surfaces for all texture size-to-wavelength ratios. Existence and location of the global reflection minimum with respect to geometrical parameters of the texture is a subject of our study. We also investigate asymptotic behavior of the reflection with the change of the texture geometry for the long and short wavelength limits. As a particular example, we consider silicon-textured surfaces used in solar cells technology. Most of our results are obtained with the help of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. We also use effective medium theory and geometric optics approximation for the limiting cases. The FDTD results for these limits are in agreement with the corresponding approximations.

Effective optical response of silicon to sunlight in the finite-difference time-domain method

“…This effective optical response model is of particular value in silicon solar cell FDTD simulations. Previous fitting for silicon by three Lorentz terms (see [11] on silicon textured antireflective coatings) was accurate only for the visible spectrum, and no single fitting with Lorentz terms was found for both visible and near ultraviolet ranges.…”

Mie resonance-mediated antireflection effects of Si nanocone arrays fabricated on 8-in. wafers using a nanoimprint technique

“…The advantages of Si as an active material for a PV device include abundance on earth, competitive fabrication cost, and superior device performance. Further efforts to lower the cost to generate electricity have led to light-trapping strategies that improve optical absorption in Si [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. For example, nanostructures exhibit remarkable absorption enhancement, and a graded refractive index and scattering enable desirable antireflection effects [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

Solar cells based on particulate structure of active layer: Investigation of light absorption by an ordered system of spherical submicron silicon particles

“…To attain this end plasmonic and diffractive nanostructures, down-converting particles, surface texturing, nanohole patterning etc. are widely studied [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. In this investigation we examine the possibility to enhance light absorption by particulate active layer.…”