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Plasmonic and Biomimetic light-trapping for photovoltaics

Plasmonic and Biomimetic light-trapping for photovoltaics
Plasmonic and Biomimetic light-trapping for photovoltaics
The challenge when applying photonics to photovoltaics is the need to provide broadband, multiple-angle solutions to problems and both plasmonics and biomimetics offer broadband approaches to reducing reflection and enhancing light-trapping. Over millions of years nature has optimised nanostructures to create black, transparent, white and mirrored surfaces, the antireflective “moth-eye” structures are perhaps the best known of these biophotonic materials. In this paper we use simulated and experimental studies to illustrate how careful optimisation of nanoscale features is required to ensure the optimum match between reflectivity, spectral bandwidth and device quantum efficiencies. In the case of light-trapping by plasmonic scattering there is more room for design and specific spectral regions can be targeted by precise control of the size, shape and density of particular metal nanoparticles. We describe how the best opportunity for plasmonics within inorganic solar cells appears to be enhanced light-trapping of near-band edge photons.
74110l-1
Temple, T.L.
1c5f14df-99d5-438c-b0b3-1f017e17c643
Boden, S.A.
83976b65-e90f-42d1-9a01-fe9cfc571bf8
Bagnall, D.M..
5d84abc8-77e5-43f7-97cb-e28533f25ef1
Temple, T.L.
1c5f14df-99d5-438c-b0b3-1f017e17c643
Boden, S.A.
83976b65-e90f-42d1-9a01-fe9cfc571bf8
Bagnall, D.M..
5d84abc8-77e5-43f7-97cb-e28533f25ef1

Temple, T.L., Boden, S.A. and Bagnall, D.M.. (2009) Plasmonic and Biomimetic light-trapping for photovoltaics. SPIE Optics and Photonics 2009, San Diego. 74110l-1 .

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

The challenge when applying photonics to photovoltaics is the need to provide broadband, multiple-angle solutions to problems and both plasmonics and biomimetics offer broadband approaches to reducing reflection and enhancing light-trapping. Over millions of years nature has optimised nanostructures to create black, transparent, white and mirrored surfaces, the antireflective “moth-eye” structures are perhaps the best known of these biophotonic materials. In this paper we use simulated and experimental studies to illustrate how careful optimisation of nanoscale features is required to ensure the optimum match between reflectivity, spectral bandwidth and device quantum efficiencies. In the case of light-trapping by plasmonic scattering there is more room for design and specific spectral regions can be targeted by precise control of the size, shape and density of particular metal nanoparticles. We describe how the best opportunity for plasmonics within inorganic solar cells appears to be enhanced light-trapping of near-band edge photons.

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More information

Published date: August 2009
Additional Information: Event Dates: 2/8/2009
Venue - Dates: SPIE Optics and Photonics 2009, San Diego, 2009-08-02
Organisations: Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 267799
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/267799
PURE UUID: 60470fec-b2ea-4661-8876-8204b462b387
ORCID for S.A. Boden: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-4232-1828

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 25 Aug 2009 14:14
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:21

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Contributors

Author: T.L. Temple
Author: S.A. Boden ORCID iD
Author: D.M.. Bagnall

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