Towards numerical simulation of nonhomogeneous thin-film silicon solar cells

Tom H. Anderson, Muhammad Faryad, Tom G. Mackay, Akhlesh Lakhtakia

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have developed an algorithm for the numerical simulation of the electrical and optical properties of a thin-film silicon solar cell. The intrinsic layer in the p-i-n solar cell is nonhomogeneous in the thickness direction. This nonhomogeneity is to be engineered via variations in the composition of the amorphous silicon. A layer of a transparent conducting oxide is welded to the p layer and the n layer is backed by a periodically corrugated metallic back reflector. The nonhomogeneous intrinsic layer may trap the incident light better than a homogeneous layer and increase the generation rate of electron-hole pairs. The periodically corrugated metallic back reflector can excite surface plasmon-polariton waves as well as waveguide modes. The generation rate of electron-hole pairs is computed using the rigorous coupledwave approach and the drift-diffusion model is used for the computation of the current density-voltage characteristics of the solar cell.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPhysics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices III
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Print)9780819498946
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
EventPhysics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices III - San Francisco, CA, United States
Duration: Feb 3 2014Feb 6 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume8981
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Other

OtherPhysics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices III
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco, CA
Period2/3/142/6/14

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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