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Red-shifting the surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles for light trapping in solar cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Fiona Jean Beck  and
Kylie Catchpole
Fiona Jean Beck
Affiliation:
fiona.beck@anu.edu.au, Australian National University, Center for Sustainable Energy Systems, 40A Northgate Gardens, 52 Forbes Street, Turner, Canberra, 2612, Australia
Kylie Catchpole
Affiliation:
k.catchpole@amolf.nl, AMOLF, Amsterdam, N/A, Netherlands
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Abstract

Surface plasmons in metallic nanoparticle arrays have been shown to increase the absorption of an underlying silicon substrate. This has wide ranging applications, not least in the photovoltaic industry. Incident light excites localised surface plasmons in the silver nanoparticles and is coupled into the silicon in trapped modes. The radiative behaviour of the nanoparticle film is changed by the proximity of a high refractive index surface, causing radiation to be directed into the silicon and providing a light-trapping layer. We investigate a simple and effective method of tuning the surface plasmon resonance frequency, and hence the spectral region at which the absorption enhancement is seen, by varying the underlying dielectric. The particle geometry and distribution are modified by the surface conditions provided by the dielectric layer, and both this and the change in refractive index alter the resonance position. Three common dielectrics used in the photovoltaic industry were investigated as surfaces on which to form arrays of self-assembled silver nanoparticles atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposited titanium dioxide (APCVD TiO2), low pressure chemical vapour deposited silicon nitride (LPCVD Si3N4) and thermally grown silicon dioxide (SiO2). We show, by optical and electrical measurements, that the red-shifted resonances produced by nanoparticle films on APCVD TiO2, and LPCVD Si3N4 with relatively high refractive indices, correspond to an increase in optical absorption and external quantum efficiency in thin, crystalline solar cells at longer wavelengths.

Keywords

photovoltaicnanostructureself-assembly
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1101: Symposium KK – Light Management in Photovoltaic Devices–Theory and Practice , 2008 , 1101-KK03-04
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2008

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