Plasmonic Enhanced InP Nanowire Array Solar Cell through Optoelectronic Modeling

Farzaneh Adibzadeh,Saeed Olyaee

doi:10.3390/photonics8040090

Abstract

Vertical nanowire (NW) arrays are a promising candidate for the next generation of the optoelectronics industry because of their significant features. Here, we investigated the InP NW array solar cells and obtained the optoelectronic properties of the structure. To improve the performance of the NW array solar cells, we placed a metal layer of Au at the bottom of the NWs and considered their top part to be a conical-shaped parabola. Using optical and electrical simulations, it has been shown that the proposed structure improves the absorption of light in normal incidence, especially at wavelengths near the bandgap of InP, where photons are usually not absorbed. Under inclined radiation, light absorption is also improved in the middle part of the solar spectrum. Increased light absorption in the cell led to the generation of more electron–hole pairs, resulting in an increase in short circuit current density from 24.1 mA/cm2 to 27.64 mA/cm2, which is equivalent to 14.69% improvement.

Highlights

IntroductionPhotovoltaics, first introduced in 1958, is a process in which light is converted directly into electricity
Array Solar Cell throughPhotovoltaics, first introduced in 1958, is a process in which light is converted directly into electricity
The proposed structure is a new method to improve the performance of the NW array solar cell and achieve absorption of over 90% at wavelengths close to the band gap wavelength of InP

Summary

Introduction

Photovoltaics, first introduced in 1958, is a process in which light is converted directly into electricity. Various materials and techniques are used to make solar cells based on the cost and efficiency of conversion. The second generation of solar cells was thin-film solar cells for producing electrical power, which received a lot of attention due to the use of thin layers in their structure [1]. The low cost and other features of semiconductor NW structures have led to great interest in their use in a variety of applications, including photodetectors [1,2,3], light-emitting diodes [4,5,6], and lasers [7,8]. In NW array solar cells, proper design and improved absorption of excited optical modes are effective factors in optimizing photovoltaic efficiency

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Results

Conclusion