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Plasmonic Solar Cells with Embedded Silver Nanoparticles from Vapor Condensation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2012

Rudi Santbergen
Affiliation:
Photovoltaic Materials and Devices laboratory/DIMES, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5053, 2600 GB Delft, the Netherlands
Hairen Tan
Affiliation:
Photovoltaic Materials and Devices laboratory/DIMES, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5053, 2600 GB Delft, the Netherlands
Tobias Pfeiffer
Affiliation:
Nanostructured Materials, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5053, 2600 GB Delft, the Netherlands
Xin Li
Affiliation:
Photovoltaic Materials and Devices laboratory/DIMES, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5053, 2600 GB Delft, the Netherlands
Tim Frijnts
Affiliation:
Photovoltaic Materials and Devices laboratory/DIMES, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5053, 2600 GB Delft, the Netherlands
Arno Smets
Affiliation:
Photovoltaic Materials and Devices laboratory/DIMES, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5053, 2600 GB Delft, the Netherlands
Andreas Schmidt-Ott
Affiliation:
Nanostructured Materials, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5053, 2600 GB Delft, the Netherlands
Miro Zeman
Affiliation:
Photovoltaic Materials and Devices laboratory/DIMES, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5053, 2600 GB Delft, the Netherlands
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Abstract

The use of plasmonic nanoparticles as light scattering elements for light trapping in solar cells is studied. From theoretical considerations it follows that Ag particles with a diameter on the order of 100 nm possess ideal light scattering properties. It is demonstrated that these particles can be fabricated using the selective aerosol deposition technique. Because this newly developed technique provides excellent control over critical parameters such as particle size and surface coverage it is a valuable tool for optimizing plasmonic solar cells. The initial experiments show that embedding Ag particles with a diameter of 180 nm into amorphous silicon solar cells enhances the current output.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

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References

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