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Plasmonic nanoparticle enhanced photocurrent in GaN/InGaN/GaN quantum well solar cells

Pryce, Imogen M. and Koleske, Daniel D. and Fischer, Arthur J. and Atwater, Harry A. (2010) Plasmonic nanoparticle enhanced photocurrent in GaN/InGaN/GaN quantum well solar cells. Applied Physics Letters, 96 (15). Art. No. 153501. ISSN 0003-6951 http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20100526-074413577

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Abstract

We demonstrate enhanced external quantum efficiency and current-voltage characteristics due to scattering by 100 nm silver nanoparticles in a single 2.5 nm thick InGaN quantum well photovoltaic device. Nanoparticle arrays were fabricated on the surface of the device using an anodic alumina template masking process. The Ag nanoparticles increase light scattering, light trapping, and carrier collection in the III-N semiconductor layers leading to enhancement of the external quantum efficiency by up to 54%. Additionally, the short-circuit current in cells with 200 nm p-GaN emitter regions is increased by 6% under AM 1.5 illumination. AFORS-Het simulation software results were used to predict cell performance and optimize emitter layer thickness.


Item Type:Article
Additional Information:© 2010 American Institute of Physics. Received 26 February 2010; accepted 11 March 2010; published online 12 April 2010; publisher error corrected 20 April 2010. This research was supported by the Department of Energy Solar Energy Technology Program, the Global Climate and Energy Program, and the Caltech Center for Sustainable Energy Research. One of the authors (IMP) acknowledges the support of a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship.
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Funding AgencyGrant Number
Department of Energy UNSPECIFIED
Caltech Center for Sustainable Energy Research UNSPECIFIED
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Subject Keywords:gallium compounds; III-V semiconductors; indium compounds; nanoparticles; photoconductivity; plasmonics; semiconductor quantum wells; silver; solar cells; wide band gap semiconductors
Classification Code:PACS: 88.40.hj; 73.63.Hs; 72.40.+w; 85.35.Be; 88.40.jm
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20100526-074413577
Persistent URL:http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20100526-074413577
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Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:18440
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:27 May 2010 02:24
Last Modified:26 Dec 2012 12:04

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