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Kim JH, Cho JW, Jeon I, Jeong KT, Kang HJ, Choi DG, Kim JH, Kim SK. Synergistically designed antireflective cover for improving wide-angle photovoltaic efficiencies. OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 30:42406-42414. [PMID: 36366695 DOI: 10.1364/oe.476007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrated that a well-designed nanopatterned cover improves photovoltaic efficiency across a wide range of incident angles (θ). A nanopatterned cover was created using an integrated ray-wave optics simulation to maximize the light absorption of the surface-textured Si photovoltaic device. A hexagonally arranged nanocone array with a 300 nm pitch was formed into a polymer using nanoimprinting, and the nanostructured polymer was then attached to a glass cover with an index-matching adhesive. Angle-resolved current density-voltage measurements on Si photovoltaic devices showed that the nanopatterned glass cover yielded a 2-13% enhancement in power conversion efficiency at θ = 0-60°, which accounted for its broadband antireflective feature. We performed all-season-perspective simulations based on the results of the integrated ray-wave optics simulations and solar altitude database of South Korea, which validated the sustainability of the developed nanopatterned cover during significant seasonal fluctuations.
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Ko JH, Kim SH, Kim MS, Heo SY, Yoo YJ, Kim YJ, Lee H, Song YM. Lithography-Free, Large-Area Spatially Segmented Disordered Structure for Light Harvesting in Photovoltaic Modules. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:44419-44428. [PMID: 36136998 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c12131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Optical losses in photovoltaic (PV) systems cause nonradiative recombination or incomplete absorption of incident light, hindering the attainment of high energy conversion efficiency. The surface of the PV cells is encapsulated to not only protect the cell but also control the transmission properties of the incident light to promote maximum conversion. Despite many advances in elaborately designed photonic structures for light harvesting, the complicated process and sophisticated patterning highly diminish the cost-effectiveness and further limit the mass production on a large scale. Here, we propose a robust/comprehensive strategy based on the hybrid disordered photonic structure, implementing multifaceted light harvesting with an affordable/scalable fabrication method. The spatially segmented structures include (i) nanostructures in the active area for antireflection and (ii) microstructures in the inactive edge area for redirecting the incident light into the active area. A lithography-free hybrid disordered structure fabricated by the thermal dewetting method is a facile approach to create a large-area photonic structure with hyperuniformity over the entire area. Based on the experimentally realized nano-/microstructures, we designed a computational model and performed an analytical calculation to confirm the light behavior and performance enhancement. Particularly, the suggested structure is manufactured by the elastomeric stamps method, which is affordable and profitable for mass production. The produced hybrid structure integrated with the multijunction solar cell presented an improved efficiency from 28.0 to 29.6% by 1.06 times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo Hwan Ko
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - So Hee Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Seok Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Yeon Heo
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jin Yoo
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong Jae Kim
- Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, Ceramics Test-Bed Center, 3321 Gyeongchung-daero, Sindun-myeon, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do 17303, Republic of Korea
| | - Heon Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Min Song
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Graduate School, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005, Korea
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Ding M, Guo Z, Chen X, Ma X, Zhou L. Surface/Interface Engineering for Constructing Advanced Nanostructured Photodetectors with Improved Performance: A Brief Review. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10020362. [PMID: 32092948 PMCID: PMC7075325 DOI: 10.3390/nano10020362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Semiconductor-based photodetectors (PDs) convert light signals into electrical signals via a photon–matter interaction process, which involves surface/interface carrier generation, separation, and transportation of the photo-induced charge media in the active media, as well as the extraction of these charge carriers to external circuits of the constructed nanostructured photodetector devices. Because of the specific electronic and optoelectronic properties in the low-dimensional devices built with nanomaterial, surface/interface engineering is broadly studied with widespread research on constructing advanced devices with excellent performance. However, there still exist some challenges for the researchers to explore corresponding mechanisms in depth, and the detection sensitivity, response speed, spectral selectivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and stability are much more important factors to judge the performance of PDs. Hence, researchers have proposed several strategies, including modification of light absorption, design of novel PD heterostructures, construction of specific geometries, and adoption of specific electrode configurations to modulate the charge-carrier behaviors and improve the photoelectric performance of related PDs. Here, in this brief review, we would like to introduce and summarize the latest research on enhancing the photoelectric performance of PDs based on the designed structures by considering their surface/interface engineering and how to obtain advanced nanostructured photo-detectors with improved performance, which could be applied to design and fabricate novel low-dimensional PDs with ideal properties in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Ding
- School of Physics and Technology, University of Jinan, 336 Nanxinzhuang West Road, Jinan 250022, China; (X.C.); (X.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.D.); (Z.G.); (L.Z.)
| | - Zhen Guo
- Key Lab of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, China
- Zhongke Mass Spectrometry (Tianjin) Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin 300399, China
- Correspondence: (M.D.); (Z.G.); (L.Z.)
| | - Xuehang Chen
- School of Physics and Technology, University of Jinan, 336 Nanxinzhuang West Road, Jinan 250022, China; (X.C.); (X.M.)
| | - Xiaoran Ma
- School of Physics and Technology, University of Jinan, 336 Nanxinzhuang West Road, Jinan 250022, China; (X.C.); (X.M.)
| | - Lianqun Zhou
- Key Lab of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, China
- Jihua Institute of Biomedical Engineering Technology, Jihua Laboratory, Foshan 528251, China
- Correspondence: (M.D.); (Z.G.); (L.Z.)
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Chen K, Wu R, Zheng H, Wang H, Zhang G, Chen S. Light-trapping schemes for silicon thin-film solar cells via super-quadratic subwavelength gratings. APPLIED OPTICS 2019; 58:8702-8712. [PMID: 31873351 DOI: 10.1364/ao.58.008702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We systematically investigate the light-trapping schemes of crystalline silicon thin-film solar cells (TFSCs) for three common grating layouts via one-dimensional super-quadratic subwavelength gratings. The effects of antireflective coating, absorber layer thickness, and grating geometry on the light-trapping performance of TFSCs are numerically studied using the finite-difference time-domain method. The results suggest that the conformal aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) coatings have better optical properties than the plane AZO coatings. For the case of only top Si gratings, the grating geometry of degree $n={4}$n=4 can achieve a good trade-off between the shape-dependent light-trapping and antireflection properties, showing the best light-trapping effect; for the case of only bottom Ag gratings, the optical performance of TFSCs is significantly degraded as the degree $n$n increases from $n={1}$n=1 to $n\to\infty$n→∞. The above findings are analyzed and demonstrated in detail from the optical and electrical perspectives, and they can be utilized to guide the design of light-trapping structures for TFSCs.
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Kim YJ, Yoo YJ, Yoo DE, Lee DW, Kim MS, Jang HJ, Kim YC, Jang JH, Kang IS, Song YM. Enhanced Light Harvesting in Photovoltaic Devices Using an Edge-Located One-Dimensional Grating Polydimethylsiloxane Membrane. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:36020-36026. [PMID: 31490649 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b09377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In streamlined multipurpose applications for light management and protection, encapsulants are merged with photonic crystal structures into solar modules. We present an edge-located 1D grating, attachable polymer on the top of a photovoltaic module to provide a strategy for capturing solar light and improving cell efficiency. Large-area solar arrays suffer from space utilization problems due to nonactive area. The introduction of periodically patterned gratings with specific geometric range is highly preferred to redirect the light toward photovoltaic active areas. To realize optimized broadband light diffraction for solar devices, the theoretical analysis of one-dimensional line patterned diffraction gratings was performed through wave-optic-based simulation. Based on the experimental results, the replica molding-based patterning method was adopted to fabricate the grating polymer for low-cost thin-film production. Also, we demonstrated enhanced light collection by grating patterned encapsulants with improved current density in comparison to the performance of a flat surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeong Jae Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology , 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005 , Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jin Yoo
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology , 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005 , Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Eun Yoo
- National Nanofab Center , Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology , 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141 , Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Lee
- National Nanofab Center , Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology , 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141 , Republic of Korea
| | - Min Seok Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology , 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005 , Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk Jae Jang
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology , 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005 , Republic of Korea
| | - Ye-Chan Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology , 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005 , Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hyung Jang
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology , 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005 , Republic of Korea
| | - Il Suk Kang
- National Nanofab Center , Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology , 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141 , Republic of Korea
| | - Young Min Song
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology , 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005 , Republic of Korea
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Double-Sided Anti-Reflection Nanostructures on Optical Convex Lenses for Imaging Applications. COATINGS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/coatings9060404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Anti-reflection coatings (ARCs) from the cornea nipple array of the moth-eye remarkably suppress the Fresnel reflection at the interface in broadband wavelength ranges. ARCs on flat glass have been studied to enhance the optical transmittance. However, little research on the implementation of ARCs on curved optical lenses, which are the core element in imaging devices, has been reported. Here, we report double-sided, bio-inspired ARCs on bi-convex lenses with high uniformity. We theoretically optimize the nanostructure geometry, such as the height, period, and morphology, since an anti-reflection property results from the gradually changed effective refractive index by the geometry of nanostructures. In an experiment, the transmittance of an ARCs lens increases up to 10% for a broadband spectrum without distortion in spot size and focal length. Moreover, we demonstrate ~30% improved transmittance of an imaging system composed of three bi-convex lenses, in series with double-sided ARCs (DARCs).
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Chen K, Wu R, Zheng H, Zhang G, Wang Y, Wang H, Chen S. Reflection behavior of two-dimensional super-quadratic subwavelength gratings for silicon-based photovoltaics. JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA. A, OPTICS, IMAGE SCIENCE, AND VISION 2019; 36:647-654. [PMID: 31044985 DOI: 10.1364/josaa.36.000647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We theoretically introduce a concept of two-dimensional super-quadratic subwavelength gratings (2D SQSWGs) to further investigate how geometrical shape influences the reflection behavior for biomimetic moth-eye structures, and the outline shape can be controlled by changing the degree of the grating's profile function. Numerical studies on the reflection behavior of the 2D SQSWGs and nanorod gratings reveal that the parabola-shaped grating (degree n=2) with a nearly linear graded index profile has superior antireflection performance, and its average weighted reflectivity (Rave) is as low as 0.99% under AM1.5 solar illumination. Moreover, research results indicate that the 2D nanocone gratings (n=1) have the best angle-independent optical property. The research findings can be used to guide the design of photovoltaic cells based on biomimetic moth-eye structures, and the concept of 2D SQSWGs can be potentially applied to other photovoltaic and optical devices.
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Lokar Z, Lipovsek B, Topic M, Krc J. Performance analysis of rigorous coupled-wave analysis and its integration in a coupled modeling approach for optical simulation of complete heterojunction silicon solar cells. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 9:2315-2329. [PMID: 30202700 PMCID: PMC6122161 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.9.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A variety of light management structures have been introduced in solar cells to improve light harvesting and further boost their conversion efficiency. Reliable and accurate simulation tools are required to design and optimize the individual structures and complete devices. In the first part of this paper, we analyze the performance of rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) for accurate three-dimensional optical simulation of solar cells, in particular heterojunction silicon (HJ Si) solar cells. The structure of HJ Si solar cells consists of thin and thick layers, and additionally, micro- and nano-textures are also introduced to further exploit the potential of light trapping. The RCWA was tested on the front substructure of the solar cell, including the texture, thin passivation and contact layers. Inverted pyramidal textures of different sizes were included in the simulations. The simulations rapidly converge as long as the textures are small (in the (sub)micrometer range), while for larger microscale textures (feature sizes of a few micrometers), this is not the case. Small textures were optimized to decrease the reflectance, and consequently, increase the absorption in the active layers of the solar cell. Decreasing the flat parts of the texture was shown to improve performance. For simulations of structures with microtextures, and for simulations of complete HJ Si cells, we propose a coupled modeling approach (CMA), where the RCWA is coupled with raytracing and the transfer matrix method. By means of CMA and nanotexture optimization, we show the possible benefits of nanotextures at the front interface of HJ Si solar cells, demonstrating a 13.4% improvement in the short-circuit current density with respect to the flat cell and 1.4% with respect to the cell with double-sided random micropyramids. We additionally demonstrate the ability to simulate a combination of nano- and microtextures at a single interface, although the considered structure did not show an improvement over the pyramidal textures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziga Lokar
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Trzaska 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Benjamin Lipovsek
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Trzaska 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marko Topic
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Trzaska 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janez Krc
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Trzaska 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Hou J, Hong W, Li X, Yang C, Chen S. Biomimetic spiral grating for stable and highly efficient absorption in crystalline silicon thin-film solar cells. OPTICS EXPRESS 2017; 25:A922-A931. [PMID: 29041302 DOI: 10.1364/oe.25.00a922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
By emulating the phyllotaxis structure of natural plants, which has an efficient and stable light capture capability, a two-dimensional spiral grating is introduced on the surface of crystalline silicon solar cells to obtain both efficient and stable light absorption. Using the rigorous coupled wave analysis method, the absorption performance on structural parameter variations of spiral gratings is investigated firstly. Owing to diffraction resonance and excellent superficies antireflection, the integrated absorption of the optimal spiral grating cell is raised by about 77 percent compared with the conventional slab cell. Moreover, though a 15 percent deviation of structural parameters from the optimal spiral grating is applied, only a 5 percent decrease of the absorption is observed. This reveals that the performance of the proposed grating would tolerate large structural variations. Furthermore, the angular and polarization dependence on the absorption of the optimized cell is studied. For average polarizations, a small decrease of only 11 percent from the maximum absorption is observed within an incident angle ranging from -70 to 70 degrees. The results show promising application potentials of the biomimetic spiral grating in the solar cell.
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