Visible luminescence from hydrogenated amorphous silicon modified by femtosecond laser radiation

TL;DR

This paper reports the observation of visible luminescence from a composite material made by femtosecond laser modification of hydrogenated amorphous silicon, with potential applications in enhancing solar cell efficiency.

Contribution

It demonstrates a novel laser-based method to produce luminescent silicon nanocrystallite composites embedded in SiO2, useful for solar energy applications.

Findings

Visible luminescence observed from SiO2 with embedded silicon nanocrystallites.

Luminescence originates from defect states at the interface.

Method could improve energy conversion in a-Si:H solar cells.

Abstract

Visible luminescence is observed from the composite of SiO2 with embedded silicon nanocrystallites produced by femtosecond laser irradiation of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) film in air. The photoluminescence originates from the defect states at the interface between silicon crystallites and SiO2 matrix. The method could be used for fabrication of luminescent layers to increase energy conversion of a-Si:H solar cells.