Optical Enhancement of Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide Thin Films using Infrared Picosecond Direct Laser Interference Patterning

Surface texturization of Transparent Conductive Oxides (TCOs) is a well-known strategy to enhance the light-trapping capabilities of thin-film solar cells and thus, to increase their power conversion efficiency. Herein, the surface modification of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) using picosecond infrared direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) is presented. The surface characterization exhibits periodic microchannels, which act as diffraction gratings yielding an increase in the average diffuse transmittance up to 870% in the spectral range of 400-1000 nm. Despite the one dimensionality of the microstructures, the films did not acquire a significant anisotropic electrical behavior, but a partial deterioration of their conductivity is observed as a result of the removal of conductive material. This work proposes the feasibility of trading off a portion of the electrical conductivity to obtain a substantial improvement in the optical performance.

Automated summary

This study presents a method of surface modification of fluorine-doped tin oxide using picosecond infrared direct laser interference patterning. The surface texture can significantly enhance the light-trapping capabilities of thin-film solar cells but may result in a partial deterioration of their electrical conductivity.