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A model for direct laser interference patterning of ZnO:Al - predicting possible sample topographies to optimize light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells

Applied Physics A volume 122, Article number: 445 (2016) Cite this article

Abstract

We present a novel approach to obtaining a quick prediction of a sample’s topography after the treatment with direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) . The underlying model uses the parameters of the experimental setup as input, calculates the laser intensity distribution in the interference volume and determines the corresponding heat intake into the material as well as the subsequent heat diffusion within the material. The resulting heat distribution is used to determine the topography of the sample after the DLIP treatment . This output topography is in good agreement with corresponding experiments. The model can be applied in optimization algorithms in which a sample topography needs to be engineered in order to suit the needs of a given device. A prominent example for such an application is the optimization of the light scattering properties of the textured interfaces in a solar cell.

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Notes

  1. Mu Plus Lambda evolutionary algorithm implemented in DEAP [16].

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Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank Gunnar Schöpe, Andreas Bauer and Pascal Foucart for technical assistance, Bugra Turan, Nicolas Sommer and Uwe Rau for fruitful discussions and the European Union as well as the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for financial funding (Project LATEXT EN3003/B).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IEK5 - Photovoltaik, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany

    Tobias Dyck & Stefan Haas

  2. 4JET microtech GmbH & Co.KG, Konrad-Zuse-Str. 1, 52477, Alsdorf, Germany

    Tobias Dyck

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  1. Tobias Dyck
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  2. Stefan Haas
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Correspondence to Tobias Dyck.

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Dyck, T., Haas, S. A model for direct laser interference patterning of ZnO:Al - predicting possible sample topographies to optimize light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells. Appl. Phys. A 122, 445 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-016-9974-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-016-9974-1

Keywords

  • Laser Process
  • Heat Diffusion
  • Laser Pulse Duration
  • Threshold Fluence
  • Spatial Periodicity