You are here

METAL BLACKS AS SCATTERING CENTERS TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF THIN FILM SOLAR CELLS

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2011
Abstract/Description:
Metal nano particles are investigated as scattering centers on front surface of thin-film solar cells to improve efficiency. The principle is that scattering, which is enhanced near the plasmon resonance frequency of the particle and depends on particle size, increases the effective optical path length of incident light, leading to more light absorption in active layer of thin film solar cell. The particular types of particles investigated here are known as "metal-black", well known as an IR absorber for bolometric infrared detectors. Gold-black was deposited on commercial thin-film solar cells using a thermal evaporator in a nitrogen ambient at pressures of ~1 Torr. We suggest that the broad range of length scales for gold black particles, as quantified by scanning electron microscopy, gives rise to efficient scattering over a broad range of wavelengths across the solar spectrum. The solar cell efficiency was determined both as a function of wavelength and for a solar spectrum produced by a Xe lamp and appropriate filters. Up to 20% increase in short-circuit photocurrent, and a 7% increase in efficiency at the maximum power point, were observed.
Title: METAL BLACKS AS SCATTERING CENTERS TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF THIN FILM SOLAR CELLS.
38 views
19 downloads
Name(s): Panjwani, Deep, Author
Peale, Robert, Committee Chair
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2011
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Metal nano particles are investigated as scattering centers on front surface of thin-film solar cells to improve efficiency. The principle is that scattering, which is enhanced near the plasmon resonance frequency of the particle and depends on particle size, increases the effective optical path length of incident light, leading to more light absorption in active layer of thin film solar cell. The particular types of particles investigated here are known as "metal-black", well known as an IR absorber for bolometric infrared detectors. Gold-black was deposited on commercial thin-film solar cells using a thermal evaporator in a nitrogen ambient at pressures of ~1 Torr. We suggest that the broad range of length scales for gold black particles, as quantified by scanning electron microscopy, gives rise to efficient scattering over a broad range of wavelengths across the solar spectrum. The solar cell efficiency was determined both as a function of wavelength and for a solar spectrum produced by a Xe lamp and appropriate filters. Up to 20% increase in short-circuit photocurrent, and a 7% increase in efficiency at the maximum power point, were observed.
Identifier: CFE0004047 (IID), ucf:49153 (fedora)
Note(s): 2011-08-01
M.S.
Sciences, Department of Physics
Masters
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): thin film solar cell plasmon gold black nano particles
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004047
Restrictions on Access: public
Host Institution: UCF

In Collections