Microconcentrator photovoltaic cell (the m-C cell): Modeling the optimum method of capturing light in an organic fiber based photovoltaic cell

We propose a new architecture as an alternative method when constructing organic photovoltaics (PVs) by addressing the best method to trap resonant light within the devices using fiber optics to concentrate light in the form of a microconcentrator cell (m-C cell). Our initial effort is to address how the m-C cells manage light absorption using a mathematical model that considers all the required parameters including the incident angle, meridional plane, cross sectional area, and path length. By knowing the materials, refractive index, we are able to calculate the optical angular input to achieve maximum absorption of resonant light. We also addressed the complexity of how changing refractive indices in a multilayer device can alter the angular dependence when considering the incident input light. The consequence is that we can ensure efficient absorption of resonant light in a thin film yet without issues of transmission losses which are evident in all other thin film organic PVs. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.2973155]