Fabrication of nano-island structures and application to solar cells

Ilwoo Seok; Jordan Falls; Shivan Haran

doi:10.1117/12.2012062

9 April 2013 Fabrication of nano-island structures and application to solar cells

Ilwoo Seok, Jordan Falls, Shivan Haran

Proceedings Volume 8691, Nanosensors, Biosensors, and Info-Tech Sensors and Systems 2013; 86910K (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2012062
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The improvement of photovoltaic performance using micro- and nano-sized scale manufacturing is discussed in this paper. The development and design of small structures for photovoltaic applications are the most challenging aspects in enhancing light absorption efficiency. We demonstrate novel methods that allow for more efficient and successful manufacture and improvement of absorption properties using a nano-particle spraying method and generation of nano-islands by making a thin film and heat treatment of the thin film. In the nano-particle spraying method, a solution which can disperse particles uniformly is sought. The nano-particles are sprayed on a typical polycrystalline silicon solar cell with an air brush gun, and then an intense pulsed light is irradiated onto the surface to cause surface driven diffusion to the nano-particles and form the nano-islands. The whole process was performed under dry and ambient conditions. The secondary method, generation of nano-islands was achieved to improve the uniformity of scattered nanostructures. A deposition process, evaporation and sputtering under vacuum, is used to manufacture the metallic thin films with 10~30 nm thickness, and thermal treatment provides surface energy so that uniform nano-sized islands are generated. Both methods are verified through the improvement of light absorption and short circuit current density – an improvement of 14.8% and 17.1%, respectively. The simulated model verified the enhancement of light absorption under the range of the solar spectrum and the absorption profile into the photoactive layer.

Citation Download Citation

Ilwoo Seok, Jordan Falls, and Shivan Haran "Fabrication of nano-island structures and application to solar cells", Proc. SPIE 8691, Nanosensors, Biosensors, and Info-Tech Sensors and Systems 2013, 86910K (9 April 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2012062

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