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Photovoltaic cell with light trapping for enhanced efficiency

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1226233
The efficiency of a photovoltaic cell is enhanced by light trapping using Mie-scattering nanostructures. In one embodiment, an array of nanocylinders is formed on the front surface of a silicon film to enhance forward scattering into the film, and an array of nanocylinders is formed on the back surface to enhance backscattering so that more light is absorbed within the silicon film. In an alternate embodiment, a mirror layer is formed on the back surface of the silicon film to reflect light within the film back toward the front-surface nanocylinder array.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation
Patent Number(s):
9,190,542
Application Number:
14/555,438
OSTI ID:
1226233
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (6)

Statistical ray optics journal July 1982
Broadband omnidirectional antireflection coating based on subwavelength surface Mie resonators journal January 2012
Fundamental limit of nanophotonic light trapping in solar cells journal September 2010
Tailoring Directional Scattering through Magnetic and Electric Resonances in Subwavelength Silicon Nanodisks journal August 2013
Substrate-modified scattering properties of silicon nanostructures for solar energy applications journal January 2013
Large-Area Free-Standing Ultrathin Single-Crystal Silicon as Processable Materials journal August 2013

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