Enhanced optical field intensity distribution in organic photovoltaic devices using external coatings

An external dielectric coating is shown to enhance energy conversion in an organic photovoltaic cell with metal anode and cathode by increasing the optical field intensity in the organic layers. Improved light incoupling in the device is modeled using transfer matrix simulations and is confirmed by in situ measurement of the photocurrent during growth of the coating. The optical field intensity in optimized cell geometries is predicted to exceed that in analogous devices using indium tin oxide, both cell types having equivalent anode sheet resistance, suggesting a broader range of compatible substrates (e.g., metal foils) and device processing techniques. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.