Cylindrical Ultra-Thin a-Si:H Photovoltaic Cell With No Doped Layers

MRS Advances ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (15) ◽  
pp. 825-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erenn Ore ◽  
Gehan Amaratunga
Keyword(s):  
Quartz Substrate ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Photovoltaic Cell ◽  
Hot Electrons ◽  
Angle Of Incidence ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Front Electrode ◽  
Electron Collection ◽  
Quartz Substrates ◽  
Incoming Light

ABSTRACTIn order to collect the hot electrons, light trapping using cylindrical quartz substrates for ultra-thin a-Si:H photovoltaic cells with no doped layers is introduced. The photovoltaic cell has the structure of 2nmMoOx(hole collection layer) – 10nmintrinsic a-Si:H (photoactive layer) – 1.5nmLiF / 300nmAl (electron collection layer and back electrode), all deposited in that order onto a cylindrical quartz substrate covered with a 100nmITO layer, which is acting as the transparent front electrode for the cell. By rotating the cell with respect to the incoming light, the angle of incidence of the incoming light for which the cell efficiency is at its highest value, is determined.

scholarly journals Direct observation and manipulation of hot electrons at room temperature

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailu Wang ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
Hui Xia ◽  
Peng Wang ◽  
Tianxin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Observation ◽  
Real Space ◽  
Hot Electrons ◽  
Hot Electron ◽  
Performance Limit ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Semiconductor Nanowire ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Intervalley Scattering ◽  
Occupied State

Abstract In modern electronics and optoelectronics, hot electron behaviors are highly concerned since they determine the performance limit of a device or system, like the associated thermal or power constraint of chips, the Shockley-Queisser limit for solar cell efficiency. Up-to-date, however, the manipulation of hot electrons is mostly based on conceptual interpretations rather than a direct observation. The problem arises from a fundamental fact that energy-differential electrons are mixed up in real-space, making it hard to distinguish them from each other by standard measurements. Here we demonstrate a distinct approach to artificially (spatially) separate hot electrons from cold ones in semiconductor nanowire transistors, which thus offers a unique opportunity to observe and modulate electron occupied state, energy, mobility, and even its path. Such a process is accomplished through the scanning-photocurrent-microscopy (SPCM) measurements by activating the intervalley-scattering events and one-dimensional charge-neutrality rule. Findings discovered here may provide a new degree of freedom in manipulating nonequilibrium electrons for both electronic and optoelectronic applications.

scholarly journals Annealing Effect on Seebeck Coefficient of SiGe Thin Films Deposited on Quartz Substrate

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1435
Author(s):  
Kaneez Fatima ◽  
Hadia Noor ◽  
Adnan Ali ◽  
Eduard Monakhov ◽  
Muhammad Asghar
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Seebeck Coefficient ◽  
Silicon Germanium ◽  
Quartz Substrate ◽  
Rf Magnetron Sputtering ◽  
The Past ◽  
High Power Factor ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
P Type ◽  
Quartz Substrates

Over the past few years, thermoelectrics have gained interest with regard to thermoelectricity interconversion. The improvement in the efficiency of the thermoelectric material at an ambient temperature is the main problem of research. In this work, silicon–germanium (SiGe) thin films, owing to superior properties such as nontoxicity, high stability, and their integrability with silicon technologies, were studied for thermoelectric applications. P-type SiGe thin films were deposited on quartz substrates by DC/RF magnetron sputtering and annealed at three different temperatures for 1 hour. Significant enhancement in the Seebeck coefficient was achieved for the sample annealed at 670 °C. A high power factor of 4.1 μWcm−1K−2 was obtained at room temperature.

scholarly journals Photovoltaic Cell: Optimum Photon Utilisation

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 64-85
Author(s):  
Liam Caruana ◽  
Thomas Nommensen ◽  
Toan Dinh ◽  
Dennis Tran ◽  
Robert McCormick
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Entropy Generation ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Photovoltaic Cell ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Light Spectrum ◽  
Energy Incident ◽  
Global Energy Consumption

In the 21st century, global energy consumption has increased exponentially and hence, sustainable energy sources are essential to accommodate for this. Advancements within photovoltaics, in regards to light trapping, has demonstrated to be a promising field of dramatically improving the efficiency of solar cells. This improvement is done by using different nanostructures, which enables solar cells to use the light spectrum emitted more efficiently. The purpose of this meta study is to investigate irreversible entropic losses related to light trapping. In this respect, the observation is aimed at how nanostructures on a silicon substrate captures high energy incident photons. Furthermore, different types of nanostructures are then investigated and compared, using the étendue ratio during light trapping. It is predicted that étendue mismatching is a parasitic entropy generation variable, and that the matching has an effect on the open circuit voltage of the solar cell. Although solar cells do have their limiting efficiencies, according to the Shockley-Queisser theory and Yablonovitch limit, with careful engineering and manufacturing practices, these irreversible entropic losses could be minimized. Further research in energy losses, due to entropy generation, may guide nanostructures and photonics in exceeding past these limits.Keywords: Photovoltaic cell; Shockley-Queisser; Solar cell nanostructures; Solar cell intrinsic and extrinsic losses; entropy; étendue; light trapping; Shockley Queisser; Geometry; Meta-study

scholarly journals Back Cover: Solar cell efficiency enhancement via light trapping in printable resonant dielectric nanosphere arrays (Phys. Status Solidi A 2/2013)

2013 ◽  
Vol 210 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Grandidier ◽  
Raymond A. Weitekamp ◽  
Michael G. Deceglie ◽  
Dennis M. Callahan ◽  
Corsin Battaglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cell ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Efficiency Enhancement ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Back Cover ◽  
Cell Efficiency

Solar cell efficiency enhancement via light trapping in printable resonant dielectric nanosphere arrays

2012 ◽  
Vol 210 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Grandidier ◽  
Raymond A. Weitekamp ◽  
Michael G. Deceglie ◽  
Dennis M. Callahan ◽  
Corsin Battaglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cell ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Efficiency Enhancement ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency

Optical approaches to improving perovskite/Si tandem cells

MRS Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (14) ◽  
pp. 901-910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haejun Chung ◽  
Xingshu Sun ◽  
Peter Bermel
Keyword(s):  
Light Trapping ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Single Junction ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Halide Perovskites ◽  
Low Costs ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Reflected Power

ABSTRACTRecently, metal-halide perovskites have demonstrated an extraordinarily rapid advance in single junction cell efficiency to over 20%, while still offering potentially low costs. Since the bandgap is larger than the ideal single-junction value, perovskite-based tandem cells can theoretically offer even higher efficiencies. Instead, however, the record tandem cell performance in experiments to date has come in slightly below that of record single junctions, although slightly higher than the same single junctions. In this work, we consider both how this disconnect can be explained quantitatively, and then devise experimentally feasible, variance-aware approaches to address them. The first stage of our approach is based on reconfiguring dielectric front coatings to help reduce net reflected power and balance junction currents by reshaping the reflection peaks. This method could be applied to post-fabrication stage of perovskite/c-Si tandem cells, and also applicable to cell and module level structures. In the second stage of our approach, we can almost entirely eliminate Fresnel reflection by applying a conformal periodic light trapping structure. In the best case, a short circuit current (Jsc) of 18.0 mA/cm2 was achieved, after accounting for 4.8 mA/cm2 of parasitic loss and 1.6 mA/cm2 reflection loss. Further improvements may require a change in the baseline materials used in perovskite cells.

scholarly journals Characteristics of an Overstressed Discharge of Nanosecond Duration between Electrodes of Chalcopyrite in High Pressure Nitrogen

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Quartz Substrate ◽  
Emission Spectra ◽  
Spectral Lines ◽  
Nanosecond Discharge ◽  
Nanosecond Duration ◽  
Main Decomposition ◽  
Singly Charged ◽  
Quartz Substrates ◽  
Discharge Method

The electrical and optical characteristics of the overstressed nanosecond discharge in nitrogen at a pressure of 202 kPa, which was ignited between electrodes from chalcopyrite (CuInSe2 ), are presented. Upon sputtering of chalcopyrite electrodes, CuInSe2 compound vapors have been introduced into the discharge plasma. Chalcopyrite molecules were partially destroyed in the plasma and partially deposited in the form of thin films on a quartz substrate, which was placed near the system of discharge electrodes. The main decomposition products of a chalcopyrite molecule in an overstressed nanosecond discharge were found, which were in excited and ionized states and which, in the plasma emission spectra, were mainly represented by atoms and singly charged copper and indium ions. The spectral lines of copper and indium are proposed, which can be used to control the deposition of thin films of chalcopyrite in real time. On quartz substrates, gas-discharge method was used to synthesize thin films based on the CuInSe2 compound, which effectively absorbed light in a wide spectral range (200-800 nm), which opens up prospects for their use in photovoltaic devices.

scholarly journals Block Textured a-Si:H Solar Cell

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Seung Jae Moon ◽  
Chang Min Keum ◽  
Ju-Yeon Kim ◽  
Jin Kuk Kim ◽  
Byung Seong Bae
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cell ◽  
Glass Substrate ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Steep Slope ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Block Height ◽  
Etching Profile ◽  
Glass Etching

A series of etching experiments on light trapping structure have been carried out by glass etching. The block structure provides long light traveling path and a constant distance between the cathode and anode electrodes regardless of the block height, which results in higher efficiency of the block textured solar cell. In terms of etching profile of the glass substrate, the addition of NH4F resulted in the smooth and clean etching profile, and the steep slope of the block was obtained by optimizing the composition of etching solution. For a higher HF concentration, a more graded slope was obtained and the addition of HNO3and NH4F provided steep slope and clean etching profile. The effects of the block textured glass were verified by a comparison of the solar cell efficiency. For the textured solar cell, the surface was much rougher than that of the plain glass, which also contributes to the improvement of the efficiency. We accomplished block shaped light trapping structure for the first time by wet etching of the glass substrate, which enables the high efficiency thin film solar cell with the aid of the good step coverage deposition.

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