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Title: Computational analysis of metamaterial–aluminum–silicon solar cell model

Abstract

In this paper, the optical parameters of an improved waveguide structure for a more efficient silicon solar cell are studied. Despite its favorable electronic, physical, and chemical properties, silicon remains a poor absorber of light. The optical losses due to the reflection at the air/glass interface of the cell and the transmission at its back are other factors, which limit the cell conversion efficiency. Consequently, several mechanisms for light trapping capable to increase the collection of the incident photons as electrical current and to decrease the transmission loss, have been developed. In this context, we propose a multilayer waveguide structure in which the sunlight is guided by a metamaterial layer and the transmission loss is eliminated by an aluminum back reflector. The reflection and transmission coefficients are derived by using the Generalized Transfer Matrix Method. The application of the law of conservation of energy allowed the determination of the absorption coefficient. These optical parameters are examined for several angles of incidence for s-polarized light, p-polarized light and unpolarized light. Simulation results show a significant reduction of reflection and a complete suppression of transmission.

Authors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. Centre de Développement des Energies Renouvelables, CDER (Algeria)
  2. The Islamic University of Gaza, Departement of Physics (Palestinian Territory, Occupied)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22946836
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Optical and Quantum Electronics
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 50; Journal Issue: 12; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2018 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature; http://www.springer-ny.com; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0306-8919
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; ABSORPTION; ACCIDENTS; ALUMINIUM; CHEMICAL PROPERTIES; ELECTRIC CURRENTS; INCIDENCE ANGLE; INTERFACES; LAYERS; METAMATERIALS; REFLECTION; SILICON; SILICON SOLAR CELLS; SIMULATION; TRANSFER MATRIX METHOD; VISIBLE RADIATION; WAVEGUIDES

Citation Formats

Hamouche, Houria, and Shabat, Mohammed M. Computational analysis of metamaterial–aluminum–silicon solar cell model. United States: N. p., 2018. Web. doi:10.1007/S11082-018-1705-8.
Hamouche, Houria, & Shabat, Mohammed M. Computational analysis of metamaterial–aluminum–silicon solar cell model. United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11082-018-1705-8
Hamouche, Houria, and Shabat, Mohammed M. 2018. "Computational analysis of metamaterial–aluminum–silicon solar cell model". United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11082-018-1705-8.
@article{osti_22946836,
title = {Computational analysis of metamaterial–aluminum–silicon solar cell model},
author = {Hamouche, Houria and Shabat, Mohammed M.},
abstractNote = {In this paper, the optical parameters of an improved waveguide structure for a more efficient silicon solar cell are studied. Despite its favorable electronic, physical, and chemical properties, silicon remains a poor absorber of light. The optical losses due to the reflection at the air/glass interface of the cell and the transmission at its back are other factors, which limit the cell conversion efficiency. Consequently, several mechanisms for light trapping capable to increase the collection of the incident photons as electrical current and to decrease the transmission loss, have been developed. In this context, we propose a multilayer waveguide structure in which the sunlight is guided by a metamaterial layer and the transmission loss is eliminated by an aluminum back reflector. The reflection and transmission coefficients are derived by using the Generalized Transfer Matrix Method. The application of the law of conservation of energy allowed the determination of the absorption coefficient. These optical parameters are examined for several angles of incidence for s-polarized light, p-polarized light and unpolarized light. Simulation results show a significant reduction of reflection and a complete suppression of transmission.},
doi = {10.1007/S11082-018-1705-8},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22946836}, journal = {Optical and Quantum Electronics},
issn = {0306-8919},
number = 12,
volume = 50,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2018},
month = {Sat Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2018}
}