Optimized absorption of solar radiations in nano-structured thin films of crystalline silicon via a genetic algorithm

Alexandre Mayer; Jérôme Muller; Aline Herman; Olivier Deparis

doi:10.1117/12.2185672

31 August 2015 Optimized absorption of solar radiations in nano-structured thin films of crystalline silicon via a genetic algorithm

Alexandre Mayer, Jérôme Muller, Aline Herman, Olivier Deparis

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9546, Active Photonic Materials VII; 95461N (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2185672
Event: SPIE Nanoscience + Engineering, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We developed a genetic algorithm to achieve optimal absorption of solar radiation in nano-structured thin films of crystalline silicon (c-Si) for applications in photovoltaics. The device includes on the front side a periodic array of inverted pyramids, with conformal passivation layer (a-Si:H or AlO_x) and anti-reflection coating (SiN_x). The device also includes on the back side a passivation layer (a-Si:H) and a flat reflector (ITO and Ag). The geometrical parameters of the inverted pyramids as well as the thickness of the different layers must be adjusted in order to maximize the absorption of solar radiations in the c-Si. The genetic algorithm enables the determination of optimal solutions that lead to high performances by evaluating only a reduced number of parameter combinations. The results achieved by the genetic algorithm for a 40μm thick c-Si lead to short-circuit currents of 37 mA/cm² when a-Si:H is used for the front-side passivation and 39.1 mA/cm² when transparent AlO_x is used instead.

Citation Download Citation

Alexandre Mayer, Jérôme Muller, Aline Herman, and Olivier Deparis "Optimized absorption of solar radiations in nano-structured thin films of crystalline silicon via a genetic algorithm", Proc. SPIE 9546, Active Photonic Materials VII, 95461N (31 August 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2185672

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available