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Optimization of Textured Photonic Crystal Backside Reflector for Si Thin Film Solar Cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

Lirong Zeng ,
Peter Bermel ,
Yasha Yi ,
Ning-ning Feng ,
Bernard A. Alamariu ,
Ching-yin Hong ,
Xiaoman Duan ,
John Joannopoulos  and
Lionel C. Kimerling
Lirong Zeng
Affiliation:
lrzengcn@mit.edu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Materials Science and Engineering, Room 13-4138, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States, 617-253-3157
Peter Bermel
Affiliation:
bermel@mit.edu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Yasha Yi
Affiliation:
yys@mit.edu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Ning-ning Feng
Affiliation:
fengn@mit.edu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Bernard A. Alamariu
Affiliation:
bernard@mtl.mit.edu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Ching-yin Hong
Affiliation:
cyhong@mit.edu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Xiaoman Duan
Affiliation:
xduan@mit.edu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
John Joannopoulos
Affiliation:
joannop@MIT.EDU, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Lionel C. Kimerling
Affiliation:
lckim@mit.edu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
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Abstract

A new backside reflector, textured photonic crystal, is introduced into Si thin film solar cells. Scattering matrix method is used to systematically optimize all the parameters of the two components of the backside reflector, grating and distributed Bragg reflector, to achieve the highest power conversion efficiency for a given solar cell thickness. Experimentally, Si-on-insulator solar cells are being fabricated to verify the tremendous efficiency enhancement and optimal design. It is found that while the optimal period and etch depth of the grating, the Bragg wavelength of the distributed Bragg reflector, as well as the antireflection coating thickness all decrease as the cell becomes thinner, the optimum duty cycle of the grating remains almost constant at 0.5. For a 2 μm thick cell, the relative efficiency enhancement can be as high as 52% using the optimized design.

Keywords

Sioptoelectronicabsorption
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 974: Symposium CC – Solar Energy Conversion , 2006 , 0974-CC02-06
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

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References

REFERENCES

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