Nd3+-Ion-Sensitized PZT:Er3+/Yb3+ Gradient Luminescent Layers Using Pulsed Laser Deposition as Alternative to Microlens Array Arrangement for Improving Efficiency of Si Solar Photovoltaic

Abstract

Using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique via Nd:YAG laser ablation, a transparent luminescent phosphor thin film of homogeneous thickness was created that could effectively absorb both near-infrared (NIR) and ultraviolet (UV) light while simultaneously upconverting and downconverting it to visible light. In single-junction microcrystalline silicon solar photovoltaics (SPV), the use of the gradient luminous phosphor Nd3+-sensitized Er3+/Yb3+ codoped zirconate titanate (PZT) layer was examined. The addition of an Nd3+/Er3+/Yb3+ doped PZT luminescent layer to the back of the solar cell could dramatically extend the lifetime of the device when compared to that of a reference Si solar cell. The proposed model’s light motion was also examined using a theoretical simulation (COMSOL). An attempt was made to find an alternative to existing luminescent solar cell concentrators, i.e., microlens array (MLA) configuration, that functions as spatial light modulators in solar cells in this work. The reported gradient phosphor three-layer design is unique and works as an efficient light-trapping design following the phenomena of total internal reflection in multimode optical fibers. The proposed solar photovoltaics was also created with a nanomirror configuration employing semiconductor nanoparticles for effective light absorption in the back reflector layer. When compared to Si-SPV without the luminescent layer, the frequency upconverted visible emissions can be reabsorbed by the SPV and boost the photocurrent, which increases the overall fill factor from 5.30 to 5.99%. The current methodology offers a simple approach for a high-performance luminescent SPV design.