Analysis Of Photonic Crystals Based Solar Cells

Abstract

A solar cell with a photonic crystal has been analysed. A periodic structure has been created on top layer of organic solar cell which act as a photonic crystal. Photonic crystals can enhance the efficiency of a solar cell. Before studying the absorption enhancement of Photonic crystal organic solar cell (PCOSC), the thickness of the optical spacer "nc-ZnO" of the flat solar cell has been optimized so that the absorption enhancement of PCOSC in comparison with the flat solar cell can be evaluated.. Light absorption of 1D PCOSC has also been calculated and the absorption enhancement by the PC structure has been shown in the report. For reference, the light absorption of the PCOSC has been first calculated when ITO and PEDOT:PSS are assumed to be perfectly transparent so that the resonant-like sharp absorption caused by the leaky mode can be clearly observed. Although the sharp effect for the TE polarization cannot be seen any more, the enhancement for TM polarization has been observed. It has also been observed that the location and magnitude of optical absorption varies strongly with wavelength on account of strong frequency dependence of photonic crystal structure.