Periodic arrays of ridge apertures as a high efficiency coupler for photovoltaic applications

Edward C. Kinzel; Pornsak Srisungsitthisunti; Xianfan Xu

doi:10.1117/12.859888

24 August 2010 Periodic arrays of ridge apertures as a high efficiency coupler for photovoltaic applications

Edward C. Kinzel, Pornsak Srisungsitthisunti, Xianfan Xu

Proceedings Volume 7772, Next Generation (Nano) Photonic and Cell Technologies for Solar Energy Conversion; 777208 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.859888
Event: SPIE Solar Energy + Technology, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Weak absorption of light near the band gap is one limiting factor on the efficiency of photovoltaics. This is particularly true for thin-film solar cells because the short optical path lengths and limited options for texturing the front and back surfaces. Scattering light laterally is one way to increase the optical path length to increase the chance that a given low energy photon is absorbed. We investigate the use of a periodic array of bowtie apertures to couple incident light to parallel plate waveguide modes supported between two conductors. We show that this increases the efficiency of solar cells by 39% and explain the physical mechanisms. This architecture has potential for thin film photovolatics or for forming an intermediate conductor in multi-junction solar cells.

Citation Download Citation

Edward C. Kinzel, Pornsak Srisungsitthisunti, and Xianfan Xu "Periodic arrays of ridge apertures as a high efficiency coupler for photovoltaic applications", Proc. SPIE 7772, Next Generation (Nano) Photonic and Cell Technologies for Solar Energy Conversion, 777208 (24 August 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.859888

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