Optical absorption of a Cu$_2$SnS$_3$ (CTS) layer trapped by metallic thin films in multilayer configuration

TL;DR

This study investigates how metallic thin films can enhance the optical absorption of a Cu$_2$SnS$_3$ layer in multilayer structures, optimizing energy harvesting efficiency through cavity effects.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of optical absorption enhancement in CTS layers coated with various metallic thin films using Maxwell's equations, identifying optimal thickness ranges.

Findings

Absorption can reach up to 60% with metallic coatings.

Optical cavity effects significantly enhance absorption.

Optimal layer thicknesses depend on material and wavelength.

Abstract

Coating and reflecting thin films for energy harvesting purposes are interesting topics in both theoretical and experimental research. The thin film could help to enhance the absorption of the system via its specific optical properties depending on the optical wavelength and the stacked layer thickness. Here, by using Maxwell's equations for the electromagnetic fields penetrating thin films, we examined in detail the absorption of a CTS layer coated by nanometer-thick thin films of several materials, Au, Ag, Cu, Al, and figured out the optimal thickness range for the outer layers of the solar cell to optimize thermal energy harvesting from the light. In particular, the absorption has been shown to be significantly enhanced thanks to the optical cavity effect, and the maximal absorption of the system could reach 60\% for ... These results could help in suitably choosing the detailed thickness for the structure of the solar cell and other energy harvesting objects.