Download or read book Plasmonic Mirror for Light trapping in Thin Film Solar Cells written by Rufina Sesuraj and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Light Trapping with Plasmonic Back Contacts in Thin Film Silicon Solar Cells written by Ulrich Wilhelm Paetzold and published by Forschungszentrum Jülich. This book was released on 2013 with total page 195 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Plasmonic Devices Employing Extreme Light Concentration written by Ragip Pala and published by Stanford University. This book was released on 2010 with total page 95 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The development of integrated electronic and photonic circuits has led to remarkable data processing and transport capabilities that permeate almost every facet of our daily lives. Scaling these devices to smaller and smaller dimensions has enabled faster, more power efficient and inexpensive components but has also brought about a myriad of new challenges. One very important challenge is the growing size mismatch between electronic and photonic components. To overcome this challenge, we will need to develop radically new device technologies that can facilitate information transport between nanoscale components at optical frequencies and form a bridge between the world of nano-electronic and micro-photonics. Plasmonics is an exciting new field of science and technology that aims to exploit the unique optical properties of metallic nanostructures to gain a new level of control over light-matter interactions. The use of nanometallic (plasmonic) structures may help bridge the size gap between the two technologies and enable an increased synergy between chip-scale electronics and photonics. In the first part of this dissertation we analyze the performance of a surface plasmon-polariton all-optical switch that combines the unique physical properties of small molecules and metallic (plasmonic) nanostructures. The switch consists of a pair of gratings defined on an aluminum film coated with a thin layer of photochromic (PC) molecules. The first grating couples a signal beam consisting of free space photons to SPPs that interact effectively with the PC molecules. These molecules can reversibly be switched between transparent and absorbing states using a free space optical pump. In the transparent (signal "on") state, the SPPs freely propagate through the molecular layer, and in the absorbing (signal "off") state, the SPPs are strongly attenuated. The second grating serves to decouple the SPPs back into a free space optical beam, enabling measurement of the modulated signal with a far-field detector. We confirm and quantify the switching behavior of the PC molecules by using a surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The quantitative experimental and theoretical analysis of the nonvolatile switching behavior guides the design of future nanoscale optically or electrically pumped optical switches. In the second part of the dissertation we provide a critical assessment of the opportunities for use of plasmonic nanostructures in thin film solar cell technology. Thin-film solar cells have attracted significant attention as they provide a viable pathway towards reduced materials and processing costs. Unfortunately, the materials quality and resulting energy conversion efficiencies of such cells is still limiting their rapid large-scale implementation. The low efficiencies are a direct result of the large mismatch between electronic and photonic length scales in these devices; the absorption depth of light in popular PV semiconductors tends to be longer than the electronic (minority carrier) diffusion length in deposited thin-film materials. As a result, charge extraction from optically thick cells is challenging due to carrier recombination in the bulk of the semiconductor. We discuss how light absorption could be improved in ultra-thin layers of active material making use of large scattering cross sections of plasmonic structures. We present a combined computational-experimental study aimed at optimizing plasmon-enhanced absorption using periodic and non-periodic metal nanostructure arrays.

Download or read book Nanostructured Solar Cells written by Narottam Das and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2017-02-22 with total page 316 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nanostructured solar cells are very important in renewable energy sector as well as in environmental aspects, because it is environment friendly. The nano-grating structures (such as triangular or conical shaped) have a gradual change in refractive index which acts as a multilayer antireflective coating that is leading to reduced light reflection losses over broadband ranges of wavelength and angle of incidence. There are different types of losses in solar cells that always reduce the conversion efficiency, but the light reflection loss is the most important factor that decreases the conversion efficiency of solar cells significantly. The antireflective coating is an optical coating which is applied to the surface of lenses or any optical devices to reduce the light reflection losses. This coating assists for the light trapping capturing capacity or improves the efficiency of optical devices, such as lenses or solar cells. Hence, the multilayer antireflective coatings can reduce the light reflection losses and increases the conversion efficiency of nanostructured solar cells.

Download or read book Fundamentals of Solar Cell Design written by Inamuddin and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2021-08-24 with total page 578 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Solar cells are semiconductor devices that convert light photons into electricity in photovoltaic energy conversion and can help to overcome the global energy crisis. Solar cells have many applications including remote area power systems, earth-orbiting satellites, wristwatches, water pumping, photodetectors and remote radiotelephones. Solar cell technology is economically feasible for commercial-scale power generation. While commercial solar cells exhibit good performance and stability, still researchers are looking at many ways to improve the performance and cost of solar cells via modulating the fundamental properties of semiconductors. Solar cell technology is the key to a clean energy future. Solar cells directly harvest energy from the sun’s light radiation into electricity are in an ever-growing demand for future global energy production. Solar cell-based energy harvesting has attracted worldwide attention for their notable features, such as cheap renewable technology, scalable, lightweight, flexibility, versatility, no greenhouse gas emission, environment, and economy friendly and operational costs are quite low compared to other forms of power generation. Thus, solar cell technology is at the forefront of renewable energy technologies which are used in telecommunications, power plants, small devices to satellites. Aiming at large-scale implementation can be manipulated by various types used in solar cell design and exploration of new materials towards improving performance and reducing cost. Therefore, in-depth knowledge about solar cell design is fundamental for those who wish to apply this knowledge and understanding in industries and academics. This book provides a comprehensive overview on solar cells and explores the history to evolution and present scenarios of solar cell design, classification, properties, various semiconductor materials, thin films, wafer-scale, transparent solar cells, and so on. It also includes solar cells’ characterization analytical tools, theoretical modeling, practices to enhance conversion efficiencies, applications and patents.

Download or read book Nanoimprint Lithography for Light Trapping Applications in Solar Cells written by Er-Chien Wang and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this thesis, substrate conformal imprint lithography (SCIL) process is adopted to fabricate efficient light trapping structures for thin-film solar cells. The SCIL process can achieve economical and large area patterns with high fidelity sub-micron resolution over non-planar surfaces without involving intense curing processes. We study and compare both plasmonic particle arrays and dielectric diffraction grating arrays placed on the rear of thin-film cells for light trapping, and we enhance the effect further by integrating a detached silver (Ag) mirror that creates a Fabry-Perot resonance effect.

Download or read book Solar Cells and Light Management written by Francesco Enrichi and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2019-10-29 with total page 558 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Solar Cells and Light Management: Materials, Strategies and Sustainability provides an extensive review on the latest advances in PV materials, along with light management strategies for better exploiting the solar spectrum. Following a brief review of the current status of solar cells, the book discusses different concepts, principles and technologies for solar devices, starting with standard silicon cells and then covering organic-hybrid, DSSC, perovskite, quantum dots and nanostructured oxide solar cells. Other sections focus on light manipulation and spectral modification, materials for spectral conversion, and environmental and sustainably considerations. An emergy analysis, which is an extension of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology, is applied to the study of solar PV systems, thus allowing for effective integrated indicators. - Provides a comprehensive picture of light management strategies - Features the most recent advances in the field, including novel materials and advanced solar cell technologies - Presents a resource that is applicable to both new or experienced researchers in the field - Contains a section on environmental and sustainability issues

Download or read book Diffractive Optics for Thin Film Silicon Solar Cells written by Christian Stefano Schuster and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-09-26 with total page 129 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This thesis introduces a figure of merit for light trapping with photonic nanostructures and shows how different light trapping methods compare, irrespective of material, absorber thickness or type of nanostructure. It provides an overview of the essential aspects of light trapping, offering a solid basis for future designs. Light trapping with photonic nanostructures is a powerful method of increasing the absorption in thin film solar cells. Many light trapping methods have been studied, but to date there has been no comprehensive figure of merit to compare these different methods quantitatively. This comparison allows us to establish important design rules for highly performing structures; one such rule is the structuring of the absorber layer from both sides, for which the authors introduce a novel and simple layer-transfer technique. A closely related issue is the question of plasmonic vs. dielectric nanostructures; the authors present an experimental demonstration, aided by a detailed theoretical assessment, highlighting the importance of considering the multipass nature of light trapping in a thin film, which is an essential effect that has been neglected in previous work and which allows us to quantify the parasitic losses.

Download or read book Application of Localized Surface Plasmons for the Enhancement of This film Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells written by Chanse D.. Hungerford and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Photovoltaics (PV) is a rapidly growing electricity source and new PV technologies are continually being developed. Increasing the efficiency of PV will continue to drive down the costs of solar installations. One area of research that is necessary for increasing PV performance is light management. This is especially true for thin-film devices that are unable to maximize absorption of the solar spectrum in a single pass. Methods for light trapping include texturing, high index nanostructures, nanophotonic structures, and plasmonics. This research focus on the use of plasmonic structures, in this case metallic nanoparticles, to increase the power conversion efficiency of solar cells. Three different designs are investigated. First was an a-Si:H solar cell, approximately 300nm thick, with a rear reflector consisting of metallic nanoparticles and a mirror. This structure is referred to as a plasmonic back reflector. Simulations indicate that a maximum absorption increase of 7.2% in the 500nm to 800nm wavelength range is possible versus a flat reference. Experiments did not show enhancement, likely due to absorption in the transparent conducting oxide and the parasitic absorption in the small metallic nanoparticles. The second design was an a-Si:H solar cell with embedded metal nanoparticles. Experimental devices were successfully fabricated by breaking the i-layer deposition into two steps and introducing colloidal nanoparticles between the two depositions. These devices performed worse than the controls, but the results provide proof that fabrication of such a device is possible and may be improved in the future. Suggestions for improvements are discussed. The final device investigated was an ultra-thin, undoped solar cell. The device used an absorber layer

Download or read book Topological Insulators written by Inamuddin and published by Materials Research Forum LLC. This book was released on 2024-01-15 with total page 195 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A topological insulator is an area that has yet to be fully explored and developed. The charge-induced bandgap fluctuation in the best-known bismuth-chalcogenide-based topological insulators is approximately 10MeV in magnitude. The major focus has shifted to the investigation of the presence of high-symmetry electronic bands as well as the utilization of easily produced materials. As the subject of topological insulators is still in the nascent stage, there is growing research and knowledge in the emerging field. This book is intended to provide the readers with an understanding of the needs and application of these materials. Keywords: Topological Insulators, Insulators, One-Dimensional Topological Insulators, Graphene, Magnetic Topological Insulator, Antiferromagnetic Phase, Ferromagnetic Phase, Topological Superconductor, Nonlinear Optical Behavior, Saturable Absorber, Quantum, Band Gap, Photonic Topological Insulators.

Download or read book Solar Cells written by Martin A. Green and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Photon Management in Solar Cells written by Ralf B. Wehrspohn and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2015-06-08 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Written by renowned experts in the field of photon management in solar cells, this one-stop reference gives an introduction to the physics of light management in solar cells, and discusses the different concepts and methods of applying photon management. The authors cover the physics, principles, concepts, technologies, and methods used, explaining how to increase the efficiency of solar cells by splitting or modifying the solar spectrum before they absorb the sunlight. In so doing, they present novel concepts and materials allowing for the cheaper, more flexible manufacture of solar cells and systems. For educational purposes, the authors have split the reasons for photon management into spatial and spectral light management. Bridging the gap between the photonics and the photovoltaics communities, this is an invaluable reference for materials scientists, physicists in industry, experimental physicists, lecturers in physics, Ph.D. students in physics and material sciences, engineers in power technology, applied and surface physicists.

Download or read book Silicon Based Thin Film Solar Cells written by Roberto Murri and published by Bentham Science Publishers. This book was released on 2013-03-20 with total page 524 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Silicon Based Thin Film Solar Cells explains concepts related to technologies for silicon (Si) based photovoltaic applications. Topics in this book focus on ‘new concept’ solar cells. These kinds of cells can make photovoltaic power production an economically viable option in comparison to the bulk crystalline semiconductor technology industry. A transition from bulk crystalline Si solar cells toward thin-film technologies reduces usage of active material and introduces new concepts based on nanotechnologies. Despite its importance, the scientific development and understanding of new solar cells is not very advanced, and educational resources for specialized engineers and scientists are required. This textbook presents the fundamental scientific aspects of Si thin films growth technology, together with a clear understanding of the properties of the material and how this is employed in new generation photovoltaic solar cells. The textbook is a valuable resource for graduate students working on their theses, young researchers and all people approaching problems and fundamental aspects of advanced photovoltaic conversion.

Download or read book Designing Plasmonic Nanoparticles for Light Trapping Applications in Solar Cells written by Fiona Jean Beck and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Optically driven localised surface plasmons can be excited on sub-wavelength metal particles, which can strongly scatter light. These particles have interesting optical properties: the nanoparticle shape and size, and the local dielectric environment determine the wavelength dependent scattering behaviour. If these particles are fabricated on a high-index substrate, a large fraction of light is scattered into the optically dense medium. This can be exploited to couple incident sunlight into trapped modes in a solar cell, increasing the absorption in the active region. The challenge is then to design plasmonic structures that are strongly scattering, and that couple efficiently to underlying substrates.

Download or read book Nanostructure Design written by Ehud Gazit and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-08-05 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As one of the fastest growing fields of research in the 21st century, nanotechnology is sure to have an enormous impact on many aspects of our lives. Nanostructure Design: Methods and Protocols serves as a major reference for theoretical and experimental considerations in the design of biological and bio-inspired building blocks, the physical characterization of the formed structures, and the development of their technical applications. The chapters contributed by leading experts are divided into two sections, the first of which covers experimental aspects of nanostructure design and the second delves into computational methods. As a volume of the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series, this collection pulls together cutting-edge protocols, written in a step-by-step, readily reproducible format certain to guide researchers to the desired results. Comprehensive and essential, Nanostructure Design: Methods and Protocols uses biological principles and vehicles on design to aid scientists in the great challenges still ahead.

Download or read book 3D Printing for Energy Applications written by Albert Tarancón and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2021-03-03 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 3D PRINTING FOR ENERGY APPLICATIONS Explore current and future perspectives of 3D printing for the fabrication of high value-added complex devices 3D Printing for Energy Applications delivers an insightful and cutting-edge exploration of the applications of 3D printing to the fabrication of complex devices in the energy sector. The book covers aspects related to additive manufacturing of functional materials with applicability in the energy sector. It reviews both the technology of printable materials and 3D printing strategies itself, and its use in energy devices or systems. Split into three sections, the book covers the 3D printing of functional materials before delving into the 3D printing of energy devices. It closes with printing challenges in the production of complex objects. It also presents an interesting perspective on the future of 3D printing of complex devices. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to 3D printing of functional materials, including metals, ceramics, and composites An exploration of 3D printing challenges for production of complex objects, including computational design, multimaterials, tailoring AM components, and volumetric additive manufacturing Practical discussions of 3D printing of energy devices, including batteries, supercaps, solar panels, fuel cells, turbomachinery, thermoelectrics, and CCUS Perfect for materials scientists, 3D Printing for Energy Applications will also earn a place in the libraries of graduate students in engineering, chemistry, and material sciences seeking a one-stop reference for current and future perspectives on 3D printing of high value-added complex devices.

Download or read book Reviews in Plasmonics 2015 written by Chris D. Geddes and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-01-22 with total page 454 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reviews in Plasmonics 2015, the second volume of the new book series from Springer, serves as a comprehensive collection of current trends and emerging hot topics in the field of Plasmonics and closely related disciplines. It summarizes the year’s progress in surface plasmon phenomena and its applications, with authoritative analytical reviews in sufficient detail to be attractive to professional researchers, yet also appealing to the wider audience of scientists in related disciplines of Plasmonics. Reviews in Plasmonics offers an essential source of reference material for any lab working in the Plasmonics field and related areas. All academics, bench scientists, and industry professionals wishing to take advantage of the latest and greatest in the continuously emerging field of Plasmonics will find it an invaluable resource.