Keywords

Nanoparticles, Plasmons (Physics), Scattering (Physics), Solar cells, Thin films

Abstract

Metal nano particles are investigated as scattering centers on front surface of thin-film solar cells to improve efficiency. The principle is that scattering, which is enhanced near the plasmon resonance frequency of the particle and depends on particle size, increases the effective optical path length of incident light, leading to more light absorption in active layer of thin film solar cell. The particular types of particles investigated here are known as "metal-black", well known as an IR absorber for bolometric infrared detectors. Gold-black was deposited on commercial thin-film solar cells using a thermal evaporator in a nitrogen ambient at pressures of ~1 Torr. We suggest that the broad range of length scales for gold black particles, as quantified by scanning electron microscopy, gives rise to efficient scattering over a broad range of wavelengths across the solar spectrum. The solar cell efficiency was determined both as a function of wavelength and for a solar spectrum produced by a Xe lamp and appropriate filters. Up to 20% increase in short-circuit photocurrent, and a 7% increase in efficiency at the maximum power point, were observed.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2011

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Peale, Robert

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Physics

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0004047

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0004047

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Sciences, Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic

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