Optically optimal wavelength-scale patterned ITO/ZnO composite coatings for thin film solar cells

TL;DR

This paper introduces a methodology for designing optically optimal, wavelength-scale patterned ITO/ZnO composite coatings for thin film solar cells, enhancing performance with minimal active layer thickness.

Contribution

It proposes a physical analysis-based optimization method for creating realistic, high-performance patterned anti-reflective coatings for thin film solar cells.

Findings

Designs achieve good performance with very thin active layers

Patterned ITO/ZnO coatings improve optical efficiency

Method constrains optimization using simpler structures

Abstract

A methodology is proposed for finding structures that are, optically speaking, locally optimal : a physical analysis of much simpler structures is used to constrain the optimization process. The obtained designs are based on a flat amorphous silicon layer (to minimize recombination) with a patterned anti-reflective coating made of ITO or ZnO, or a composite ITO/ZnO coating. These latter structures are realistic and present good performances despite very thin active layers.