Omnidirectional, Polarization-Independent, All-Dielectric Light Trapping Scheme

Abstract

Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed a novel architecture and process for producing low-cost, ultrathin, flexible and durable solar cells that can be easily fabricated using roll-to-roll processing. UCF's new light trapping scheme uses nanoparticles to mimic the essential light trapping mechanisms found in a leaf: focusing, wave guiding and light scattering. Unlike conventional solar cell architectures, the invention incorporates the use of lightweight, pliable 2D semiconductor materials and an all-dielectric approach which is lossless in the visible spectrum of light. It also offers broadband polarization-independent reflection features, so that solar cells can capture sunlight from almost any angle.

Technical Details

The invention is a biomimetic light trapping scheme that can be applied to create ultrathin, lightweight, flexible and durable Schottky junction, P-N junction, or any other type of solar cells. By using two optically tuned layers, the light trapping scheme does not employ any nano-structuring of the active silicon substrate, thereby ensuring that the optical gain is not offset due to recombination losses. As well, complete decoupling of the optical and electrical systems enables independent optimization of the light trapping scheme. The scheme accommodates the use of a variety of materials for the two optical layers, with the ratio of the nanoparticle diameters playing a crucial role in achieving light trapping that is omnidirectional, polarization-independent, and more pronounced in the high wavelength regime.

Benefit

Market Application

Publications

A leaf-inspired photon management scheme using optically tuned bilayer nanoparticles for ultra-thin and highly efficient photovoltaic devices,  Nano Energy, Volume 58, April 2019, Pages 47-56