Optimization Studies on Enhanced Absorption in Thin Silicon Solar Cell by Plasmonic Silver Nanoparticles for the Front Side Configuration

Abstract

Computer simulations have been performed for an analysis of optical absorption of thin silicon film with front side-located spherical silver nanoparticles. The investigations were initiated by adjustment of silver optical model through the comparison of simulated extinction cross-section and measured absorbance of model colloidal suspension. Then the parameters like effective absorption, fraction of light injected to substrate and reflection have been obtained from broad band simulation of NPs on a Si substrate. The optimal structure was determined by analysis of nanoparticles size and surface coverage including the AM 1.5 solar spectrum, which is of great importance. Possible gain in optical absorption of 0.5-μm thick silicon was estimated for the particular cases. The influence of the spectral range and 15 nm SiO₂ layer have been considered as well. Finally, the spectral position of plasmonic activity of nanoparticles on a substrate was given by calculating scattering and absorption cross-sections.