Embedded metallic nanopatterns for enhanced optical absorption

Fan Ye; Michael J. Burns; Michael J. Naughton

doi:10.1117/12.892618

20 September 2011 Embedded metallic nanopatterns for enhanced optical absorption

Fan Ye, Michael J. Burns, Michael J. Naughton

Proceedings Volume 8111, Next Generation (Nano) Photonic and Cell Technologies for Solar Energy Conversion II; 811103 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.892618
Event: SPIE Solar Energy + Technology, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Novel metallic nanopatterns integrated with semiconductor films form optical metamaterials that can enable enhanced absorption. When employed in photovoltaics, such integrated nanostructures may facilitate significant increases in power conversion efficiency. Here, we show that metal nanopatterns embedded within a semiconductor, as opposed to being situated at/on the surface(s), exhibit absorbance enhancements that exceed those yielded by surface patterns. We show in computer simulations and experiments that absorbance in amorphous silicon can be enhanced many-fold for embedded metal nanopatterns (EMN) in ultrathin silicon films in particular wavelength regimes. Compared to plane α-Si films of comparable thickness, a several hundred percent enhancement is observed. This represents a potential route to high efficiency solar power with ultrathin absorbers enhanced by EMN-based optical metamedia.

Citation Download Citation

Fan Ye, Michael J. Burns, and Michael J. Naughton "Embedded metallic nanopatterns for enhanced optical absorption", Proc. SPIE 8111, Next Generation (Nano) Photonic and Cell Technologies for Solar Energy Conversion II, 811103 (20 September 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.892618

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