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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Benjamin Curtin ,
Rana Biswas  and
Vikram Dalal
Benjamin Curtin
Affiliation:
twodeko@iastate.edu, Iowa State University, Microelectronics Research Center; Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ames, Iowa, United States
Rana Biswas
Affiliation:
biswasr@iowastate.edu, Iowa State University, Electrical and Computer Engr., Ames, Iowa, United States
Vikram Dalal
Affiliation:
vdalal@iastate.edu, Iowa State University, Electrical and Computer Engr., Ames, Iowa, United States
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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.

Keywords

thin filmSienergy generation
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1153: Symposium A – Amorphous and Polycrystalline Thin Film Silicon Science and Technology–2009 , 2009 , 1153-A07-15
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2009

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