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Fabrication of Photonic Crystal based Back-reflectors for Light Management and Enhanced Absorption in Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells

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Abstract

Photonic crystal based back-reflectors are an attractive solution for light management and enhancing optical absorption in thin film solar cells, without undesirable losses. We have fabricated prototype photonic crystal back-reflectors using photolithographic methods and reactive-ion etching. The photonic crystal back-reflector has a triangular lattice symmetry, a thickness of 250 nm, and a pitch of 765 nm. Scanning electron microscopy images demonstrate high quality long range periodicity. An a-Si:H solar cell device was grown on this back-reflector using standard PECVD techniques. Measurements demonstrate strong diffraction of light and high diffuse reflectance by the photonic crystal back-reflector. The photonic crystal back-reflector increases the average photon collection by ˜9% in terms of normalized external quantum efficiency, relative to a reference device on a stainless steel substrate with an Ag coated back surface.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microelectronics Research Center; Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, 50011, Iowa, USA

    Benjamin Curtin, Vikram Dalal & Rana Biswas

  2. Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Ames Lab, Iowa State University, Ames, 50011, Iowa, USA

    Rana Biswas

Authors
  1. Benjamin Curtin
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  2. Vikram Dalal
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  3. Rana Biswas
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Curtin, B., Dalal, V. & Biswas, R. Fabrication of Photonic Crystal based Back-reflectors for Light Management and Enhanced Absorption in Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells. MRS Online Proceedings Library 1153, 715 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-1153-A07-15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-1153-A07-15

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