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Description
Semiconductor nanostructures are promising building blocks for light management in thin silicon solar cells and silicon-based tandems due their tunable optical properties. The present dissertation is organized along three main research areas: (1) characterization and modeling of III-V nanowires as active elements of solar cell tandems, (2) modeling of silicon nanopillars for reduced optical losses in ultra-thin silicon solar cells, and (3) characterization and modeling of nanoparticle-based optical coatings for light management.
First, the recombination mechanisms in polytype GaAs nanowires are studied through photoluminescence measurements coupled with rate equation analysis. When photons are absorbed in polytype nanowires, electrons and holes quickly thermalize to the band-edges of the zinc-blende and wurtzite phases, recombining indirectly in space across the type-II offset. Using a rate equation model, different configurations of polytype defects along the nanowire are investigated, which compare well with experiment considering spatially indirect recombination between different polytypes, and defect-related recombination due to twin planes and other defects. The presented analysis is a path towards predicting the performance of nanowire-based solar cells.
Following this topic, the optical mechanisms in silicon nanopillar arrays are investigated using full-wave optical simulations in comparison to measured reflectance data. The simulated electric field energy density profiles are used to elucidate the mechanisms contributing to the reduced front surface reflectance. Strong forward scattering and resonant absorption are observed for shorter- and longer- aspect ratio nanopillars, respectively, with the sub-wavelength periodicity causing additional diffraction. Their potential for light-trapping is investigated using full-wave optical simulation of an ultra-thin nanostructured substrate, where the conventional light-trapping limit is exceeded for near-bandgap wavelengths.
Finally, the correlation between the optical properties of silicon nanoparticle layers to their respective pore size distributions is investigated using optical and structural characterization coupled with full-wave optical simulation. The presence of
scattering is experimentally correlated to wider pore size distributions obtained from nitrogen adsorption measurements. The correlation is validated with optical simulation of random and clustered structures, with the latter approximating experimental. Reduced structural inhomogeneity in low-refractive-index nanoparticle inter-layers at the metal/semiconductor interface improves their performance as back reflectors, while reducing parasitic absorption in the metal.
First, the recombination mechanisms in polytype GaAs nanowires are studied through photoluminescence measurements coupled with rate equation analysis. When photons are absorbed in polytype nanowires, electrons and holes quickly thermalize to the band-edges of the zinc-blende and wurtzite phases, recombining indirectly in space across the type-II offset. Using a rate equation model, different configurations of polytype defects along the nanowire are investigated, which compare well with experiment considering spatially indirect recombination between different polytypes, and defect-related recombination due to twin planes and other defects. The presented analysis is a path towards predicting the performance of nanowire-based solar cells.
Following this topic, the optical mechanisms in silicon nanopillar arrays are investigated using full-wave optical simulations in comparison to measured reflectance data. The simulated electric field energy density profiles are used to elucidate the mechanisms contributing to the reduced front surface reflectance. Strong forward scattering and resonant absorption are observed for shorter- and longer- aspect ratio nanopillars, respectively, with the sub-wavelength periodicity causing additional diffraction. Their potential for light-trapping is investigated using full-wave optical simulation of an ultra-thin nanostructured substrate, where the conventional light-trapping limit is exceeded for near-bandgap wavelengths.
Finally, the correlation between the optical properties of silicon nanoparticle layers to their respective pore size distributions is investigated using optical and structural characterization coupled with full-wave optical simulation. The presence of
scattering is experimentally correlated to wider pore size distributions obtained from nitrogen adsorption measurements. The correlation is validated with optical simulation of random and clustered structures, with the latter approximating experimental. Reduced structural inhomogeneity in low-refractive-index nanoparticle inter-layers at the metal/semiconductor interface improves their performance as back reflectors, while reducing parasitic absorption in the metal.
ContributorsVulic, Natasa (Author) / Goodnick, Stephen M (Thesis advisor) / Honsberg, C. (Christiana B.) (Committee member) / Holman, Zachary C (Committee member) / Smith, David J. (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019
Description
The emergence of perovskite and practical efficiency limit to silicon solar cells has opened door for perovskite and silicon based tandems with the possibility to achieve >30% efficiency. However, there are material and optical challenges that have to be overcome for the success of these tandems. In this work the aim is to understand and improve the light management issues in silicon and perovskite based tandems through comprehensive optical modeling and simulation of current state of the art tandems and by characterizing the optical properties of new top and bottom cell materials. Moreover, to propose practical solutions to mitigate some of the optical losses.
Highest efficiency single-junction silicon and bottom silicon sub-cell in silicon based tandems employ monocrystalline silicon wafer textured with random pyramids. Therefore, the light trapping performance of random pyramids in silicon solar cells is established. An accurate three-dimensional height map of random pyramids is captured and ray-traced to record the angular distribution of light inside the wafer which shows random pyramids trap light as well as Lambertian scatterer.
Second, the problem of front-surface reflectance common to all modules, planar solar cells and to silicon and perovskite based tandems is dealt. A nano-imprint lithography procedure is developed to fabricate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) scattering layer carrying random pyramids that effectively reduces the reflectance. Results show it increased the efficiency of planar semi-transparent perovskite solar cell by 10.6% relative.
Next a detailed assessment of light-management in practical two-terminal perovskite/silicon and perovskite/perovskite tandems is performed to quantify reflectance, parasitic and light-trapping losses. For this first a methodology based on spectroscopic ellipsometry is developed to characterize new absorber materials employed in tandems. Characterized materials include wide-bandgap (CH3NH3I3, CsyFA1-yPb(BrxI1-x)3) and low-bandgap (Cs0.05FA0.5MA0.45(Pb0.5Sn0.5)I3) perovskites and wide-bandgap CdTe alloys (CdZnSeTe). Using this information rigorous optical modeling of two-terminal perovskite/silicon and perovskite/perovskite tandems with varying light management schemes is performed. Thus providing a guideline for further development.
Highest efficiency single-junction silicon and bottom silicon sub-cell in silicon based tandems employ monocrystalline silicon wafer textured with random pyramids. Therefore, the light trapping performance of random pyramids in silicon solar cells is established. An accurate three-dimensional height map of random pyramids is captured and ray-traced to record the angular distribution of light inside the wafer which shows random pyramids trap light as well as Lambertian scatterer.
Second, the problem of front-surface reflectance common to all modules, planar solar cells and to silicon and perovskite based tandems is dealt. A nano-imprint lithography procedure is developed to fabricate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) scattering layer carrying random pyramids that effectively reduces the reflectance. Results show it increased the efficiency of planar semi-transparent perovskite solar cell by 10.6% relative.
Next a detailed assessment of light-management in practical two-terminal perovskite/silicon and perovskite/perovskite tandems is performed to quantify reflectance, parasitic and light-trapping losses. For this first a methodology based on spectroscopic ellipsometry is developed to characterize new absorber materials employed in tandems. Characterized materials include wide-bandgap (CH3NH3I3, CsyFA1-yPb(BrxI1-x)3) and low-bandgap (Cs0.05FA0.5MA0.45(Pb0.5Sn0.5)I3) perovskites and wide-bandgap CdTe alloys (CdZnSeTe). Using this information rigorous optical modeling of two-terminal perovskite/silicon and perovskite/perovskite tandems with varying light management schemes is performed. Thus providing a guideline for further development.
ContributorsManzoor, Salman (Author) / Holman, Zachary C (Thesis advisor) / King, Richard (Committee member) / Goryll, Michael (Committee member) / Zhao, Yuji (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019