title: Simulation and optimization of 1-D periodic dielectric nanostructures for light-trapping.
abstract: Light-trapping is essential to improve the performance of thin-film solar cells. In this paper, we perform a parametric optimization of 1-D square and sinusoidal grating structures that act as nanophotonic scatterers to increase light absorption in ultra-thin (10nm) solar cells. Our optimization reveals that the short-circuit current density in a device of active-layer thickness 10nm can be improved by a factor of ~5 in the presence of the scattering structure. More complex geometries allow for increased degrees of design freedom and potentially high enhancement of light absorption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Menon
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D049329:Nanostructures; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010507:Periodicity; D012993:Solar Energy