Chromium nanostructures for enhancing light trapping in a thin-film solar cell

In this work, a thin-film solar cell consists of metallic nanowires, semiconductor, and antireflection layers is investigated. The absorption of the structure is obtained numerically in the broadband wavelength range of 300-1700 nm. The influences of the layer thicknesses and the cross-section shape of metallic nanowires are studied. Results indicate that the absorption of the rectangular-nanowire system is over 90% in the range of 560 1180 nm. Also, the absorption in the range of 300 -1200 nm is over 90% when the cross-section of nanowires is semi-circular. This high absorption in the visible region could be helpful in designing plasmonic solar cells.

Automated summary

This study investigates the absorption efficiency of a thin-film solar cell composed of metallic nanowires and semiconductors, with results showing over 90% absorption using a rectangular-nanowire system and semi-circular nanowire cross-section in specific wavelength ranges. The high absorption in the visible region could potentially benefit the design of plasmonic solar cells.