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Plasmonics and nanophotonics for photovoltaics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 June 2011

Kylie R. Catchpole ,
Sudha Mokkapati ,
Fiona Beck ,
Er-Chien Wang ,
Arnold McKinley ,
Angelika Basch  and
Jaret Lee
Kylie R. Catchpole
Affiliation:
Australian National University; kylie.catchpole@anu.edu.au
Sudha Mokkapati
Affiliation:
Australian National University; sudha.mokkapati@anu.edu.au
Fiona Beck
Affiliation:
Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Barcelona, Spain; Fiona.beck@icfo.es
Er-Chien Wang
Affiliation:
Australian National University; er-chien.wang@anu.edu.au
Arnold McKinley
Affiliation:
Australian National University; arni.mckinley@anu.edu.au
Angelika Basch
Affiliation:
Institute of Physics, University of Graz, Austria; angelika@basch.at
Jaret Lee
Affiliation:
Australian National University; jaret.lee@alumni.rice.edu
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Abstract

In recent years, there has been rapid development in the field of nanoscale light trapping for solar cells. This has been driven by the decrease in thickness of solar cells in order to reduce materials costs, as well as advances in fabrication technology and computer power for simulating nanoscale structures. Nanoscale light trapping offers the possibility of enhancing absorption beyond the limits achievable with geometrical optics for certain structures. It also allows the optical design to be separated from the electrical design, as for example in plasmonic solar cells. Most importantly, thin-film cell designs will need to incorporate nanophotonic light trapping in order to reach their ultimate efficiency limits. In this article, we review the major types of nanophotonic light trapping, including plasmonic, diffraction gratings, and random scattering surfaces and describe the major advantages and disadvantages of each. In addition, we describe the most important related fabrication and characterization technologies and provide an outlook on future directions in this field.

Keywords

Energy generationphotovoltaicopticalnanostructure
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Bulletin , Volume 36 , Issue 6: Photon management for photovoltaics , June 2011 , pp. 461 - 467
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

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