Applied Physics A

, Volume 110, Issue 3, pp 661–665 | Cite as

Laser machined macro and micro structures on glass for enhanced light trapping in solar cells

  • David Moore
  • Mahfujur Rahman
  • Denis P. Dowling
  • Patrick J. McNally
  • Dermot Brabazon
Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

In order to increase the efficiency of solar cell modules it is necessary to make the optimum use of light incident upon them. Much research has been done on improving light absorption through front surface texturisation and light trapping schemes. Laser light is commonly used in industry for various applications including marking and texturisation. By controlling laser parameters, it is possible to tailor macro and micro structures in most materials. The CO2 laser used in this investigation emits radiation at 10.6 μm with the ability to pulse in the micro-second range. The laser was used to ablate grooved textures in the fused quartz material, used in this study as the light trapping medium, following which an analysis of the effects of the laser parameters on the texture geometry and surface morphology was performed through a combination of cross sectioning and scanning electron microscopy. Transmission through the textured glass was improved for most samples after acid etching. The light trapping effects of the best performing textures were analysed by investigating the effects on a silicon solar cell’s performance at varying angles of incidence. Results indicated a significant increase in light trapping when light was incident at acute angles. For an angle of incidence of 10∘ a relative increase in efficiency of up to 51 % was observed.

Keywords

Solar Cell Traverse Speed Light Trapping Fuse Quartz Acid Etching 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Notes

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (IRCSET) Embark Initiative.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  • David Moore
    • 1
  • Mahfujur Rahman
    • 2
  • Denis P. Dowling
    • 2
  • Patrick J. McNally
    • 3
  • Dermot Brabazon
    • 1
  1. 1.School of Mechanical & Manufacturing EngineeringDublin City UniversityDublin 9Ireland
  2. 2.School of Electronic, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Engineering and Materials Science CentreUCD Dublin, BelfieldDublin 4Ireland
  3. 3.School of Electronic EngineeringDublin City UniversityDublin 9Ireland

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