Implementing strong interference in ultrathin film top absorbers for tandem solar cells

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method using distributed Bragg reflectors to implement strong optical interference in ultrathin film top absorbers for tandem solar cells, enhancing light absorption and enabling efficient unassisted solar water splitting.

Contribution

It presents a new approach to achieve strong interference in ultrathin film absorbers within tandem cells using DBRs, overcoming limitations of metallic back reflectors.

Findings

Over threefold increase in photon absorption with DBRs

Successful demonstration of unassisted solar water splitting

Optimized DBR design for maximal light absorption

Abstract

Strong interference in ultrathin film semiconductor absorbers on metallic back reflectors has been shown to enhance the light harvesting efficiency of solar cell materials. However, metallic back reflectors are not suitable for tandem cell configurations because photons cannot be transmitted through the device. Here, we introduce a method to implement strong interference in ultrathin film top absorbers in a tandem cell configuration through use of distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs). We showcase this by designing and fabricating a photoelectrochemical-photovoltaic (PEC-PV) stacked tandem cell in a V-shaped configuration where short wavelength photons are reflected back to the photoanode material (hematite, Fe2O3), whereas long wavelength photons are transmitted to the bottom silicon PV cell. We employ optical simulations to determine the optimal thicknesses of the DBR layers and the V-shape angle to maximize light absorption in the ultrathin (10 nm thick) hematite film. The DBR spectral response can be tailored to allow for a more than threefold enhancement in absorbed photons compared to a layer of the same thickness on transparent current collectors. Using a DBR to couple a bottom silicon PV cell with an ultrathin hematite top PEC cell, we demonstrate unassisted solar water splitting and show that DBRs can be designed to enhance strong interference in ultrathin films while enabling stacked tandem cell configuration.