Nanoparticle scattering for multijunction solar cells

A. Mellor; N. P. Hylton; O. Höhn; C. Wellens; H. Hauser; T. Thomas; Y. Al-Saleh; N. Tucher; E. Oliva; B. Bläsi; N. J. Ekins-Daukes; S. A. Maier

doi:10.1117/12.2228589

Nanoparticle scattering for multijunction solar cells

A. Mellor
, N. P. Hylton
, O. Höhn
, C. Wellens
, H. Hauser
, T. Thomas
, Y. Al-Saleh
, N. Tucher
, E. Oliva
, B. Bläsi
, N. J. Ekins-Daukes
, S. A. Maier

FSE Research & Business Support Services

Imperial College London
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

We investigate the integration of Al nanoparticle arrays into the anti-reflection coatings (ARCs) of commercial triple-junction GaInP/ In0.01GaAs /Ge space solar cells, and study their effect on the radiation-hardness. It is postulated that the presence of nanoparticle arrays can improve the radiation-hardness of space solar cells by scattering incident photons obliquely into the device, causing charger carriers to be photogenerated closer to the junction, and hence improving the carrier collection efficiency in the irradiation-damaged subcells. The Al nanoparticle arrays were successfully embedded in the ARCs, over large areas, using nanoimprint lithography: a replication technique with the potential for high throughput and low cost. Irradiation testing showed that the presence of the nanoparticles did not improve the radiation-hardness of the solar cells, so the investigated structure has proven not to be ideal in this context. Nonetheless, this paper reports on the details and results of the nanofabrication to inform about future integration of alternative light-scattering structures into multi-junction solar cells or other optoelectronic devices.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI
Editors	Ralf B. Wehrspohn, Andreas Gombert, Alexander N. Sprafke
Publisher	SPIE
Volume	9898
ISBN (Electronic)	9781510601437
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2228589
Publication status	Published - 2016
Event	Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI - Brussels, Belgium Duration: 5 Apr 2016 → 7 Apr 2016

Publication series

Name	Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume	9898
ISSN (Print)	0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)	1996-756X

Conference

Conference	Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI
Country/Territory	Belgium
City	Brussels
Period	5/04/16 → 7/04/16

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Keywords

light trapping
multi-junction solar cell
nanophotonics
radiation hardness
Space solar cell

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10.1117/12.2228589

Cite this

Mellor, A., Hylton, N. P., Höhn, O., Wellens, C., Hauser, H., Thomas, T., Al-Saleh, Y., Tucher, N., Oliva, E., Bläsi, B., Ekins-Daukes, N. J., & Maier, S. A. (2016). Nanoparticle scattering for multijunction solar cells. In R. B. Wehrspohn, A. Gombert, & A. N. Sprafke (Eds.), Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI (Vol. 9898). Article 989809 (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering; Vol. 9898). SPIE. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2228589

@inproceedings{95e07127201f4b1da6747685ed05abad,

title = "Nanoparticle scattering for multijunction solar cells",

abstract = "We investigate the integration of Al nanoparticle arrays into the anti-reflection coatings (ARCs) of commercial triple-junction GaInP/ In0.01GaAs /Ge space solar cells, and study their effect on the radiation-hardness. It is postulated that the presence of nanoparticle arrays can improve the radiation-hardness of space solar cells by scattering incident photons obliquely into the device, causing charger carriers to be photogenerated closer to the junction, and hence improving the carrier collection efficiency in the irradiation-damaged subcells. The Al nanoparticle arrays were successfully embedded in the ARCs, over large areas, using nanoimprint lithography: a replication technique with the potential for high throughput and low cost. Irradiation testing showed that the presence of the nanoparticles did not improve the radiation-hardness of the solar cells, so the investigated structure has proven not to be ideal in this context. Nonetheless, this paper reports on the details and results of the nanofabrication to inform about future integration of alternative light-scattering structures into multi-junction solar cells or other optoelectronic devices.",

keywords = "light trapping, multi-junction solar cell, nanophotonics, radiation hardness, Space solar cell",

author = "A. Mellor and Hylton, \{N. P.\} and O. H{\"o}hn and C. Wellens and H. Hauser and T. Thomas and Y. Al-Saleh and N. Tucher and E. Oliva and B. Bl{\"a}si and Ekins-Daukes, \{N. J.\} and Maier, \{S. A.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2016 SPIE.; Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI ; Conference date: 05-04-2016 Through 07-04-2016",

year = "2016",

doi = "10.1117/12.2228589",

language = "English",

volume = "9898",

series = "Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering",

publisher = "SPIE",

editor = "Wehrspohn, \{Ralf B.\} and Andreas Gombert and Sprafke, \{Alexander N.\}",

booktitle = "Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI",

address = "United States",

}

Mellor, A, Hylton, NP, Höhn, O, Wellens, C, Hauser, H, Thomas, T, Al-Saleh, Y, Tucher, N, Oliva, E, Bläsi, B, Ekins-Daukes, NJ & Maier, SA 2016, Nanoparticle scattering for multijunction solar cells. in RB Wehrspohn, A Gombert & AN Sprafke (eds), Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI. vol. 9898, 989809, Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, vol. 9898, SPIE, Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI, Brussels, Belgium, 5/04/16. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2228589

Nanoparticle scattering for multijunction solar cells. / Mellor, A.; Hylton, N. P.; Höhn, O. et al.
Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI. ed. / Ralf B. Wehrspohn; Andreas Gombert; Alexander N. Sprafke. Vol. 9898 SPIE, 2016. 989809 (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering; Vol. 9898).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Nanoparticle scattering for multijunction solar cells

AU - Mellor, A.

AU - Hylton, N. P.

AU - Höhn, O.

AU - Wellens, C.

AU - Hauser, H.

AU - Thomas, T.

AU - Al-Saleh, Y.

AU - Tucher, N.

AU - Oliva, E.

AU - Bläsi, B.

AU - Ekins-Daukes, N. J.

AU - Maier, S. A.

PY - 2016

Y1 - 2016

N2 - We investigate the integration of Al nanoparticle arrays into the anti-reflection coatings (ARCs) of commercial triple-junction GaInP/ In0.01GaAs /Ge space solar cells, and study their effect on the radiation-hardness. It is postulated that the presence of nanoparticle arrays can improve the radiation-hardness of space solar cells by scattering incident photons obliquely into the device, causing charger carriers to be photogenerated closer to the junction, and hence improving the carrier collection efficiency in the irradiation-damaged subcells. The Al nanoparticle arrays were successfully embedded in the ARCs, over large areas, using nanoimprint lithography: a replication technique with the potential for high throughput and low cost. Irradiation testing showed that the presence of the nanoparticles did not improve the radiation-hardness of the solar cells, so the investigated structure has proven not to be ideal in this context. Nonetheless, this paper reports on the details and results of the nanofabrication to inform about future integration of alternative light-scattering structures into multi-junction solar cells or other optoelectronic devices.

AB - We investigate the integration of Al nanoparticle arrays into the anti-reflection coatings (ARCs) of commercial triple-junction GaInP/ In0.01GaAs /Ge space solar cells, and study their effect on the radiation-hardness. It is postulated that the presence of nanoparticle arrays can improve the radiation-hardness of space solar cells by scattering incident photons obliquely into the device, causing charger carriers to be photogenerated closer to the junction, and hence improving the carrier collection efficiency in the irradiation-damaged subcells. The Al nanoparticle arrays were successfully embedded in the ARCs, over large areas, using nanoimprint lithography: a replication technique with the potential for high throughput and low cost. Irradiation testing showed that the presence of the nanoparticles did not improve the radiation-hardness of the solar cells, so the investigated structure has proven not to be ideal in this context. Nonetheless, this paper reports on the details and results of the nanofabrication to inform about future integration of alternative light-scattering structures into multi-junction solar cells or other optoelectronic devices.

KW - light trapping

KW - multi-junction solar cell

KW - nanophotonics

KW - radiation hardness

KW - Space solar cell

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84988358502

U2 - 10.1117/12.2228589

DO - 10.1117/12.2228589

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:84988358502

VL - 9898

T3 - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

BT - Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI

A2 - Wehrspohn, Ralf B.

A2 - Gombert, Andreas

A2 - Sprafke, Alexander N.

PB - SPIE

T2 - Photonics for Solar Energy Systems VI

Y2 - 5 April 2016 through 7 April 2016

ER -

Nanoparticle scattering for multijunction solar cells

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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