Photonic crystal and Ti nanoparticles enhanced high-absorption GaAs thin-film solar cell

Abstract

The research aims to investigate the application of photonic crystals and metal nanoparticles in the design of thin-film solar cell (TFSC). The propagation of electromagnetic waves in the vicinity of the cell and the light absorption process were simulated to analyze the performance variations of GaAs TFSC combining GaAs photonic crystals and Ti nanoparticles. By optimizing the cell model structure and doping concentration, we achieved high absorption across a broader wavelength spectrum. The research indicates that the incorporation of photonic crystals effectively extends the optical path length within the solar cell, while the integration of metal nanoparticles further enhances the cell's light absorption efficiency. Ultimately, the cell model proposed in this article achieves efficient light absorption in the wavelength range of 400–860 nm, with the absorption rates of the cell consistently exceeding 90% across all spectral bands. And nearly perfect absorption is realized in the wavelength range of 728–860 nm. Simultaneously, the performance of the cell exhibits significant improvements, culminating in a photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 34.48%. This research provides useful guidance for the development of solar cell technology and makes a positive contribution to the sustainable utilization of clean energy.