Enhancing solar cells with localized plasmons in nanovoids

• DOI: 10.1364/cleo_si.2011.cmcc3
• Publication Date: 2013-04-09T16:39:14Z
• Authors: N. N. Lal; B. F. Soares; J. K. Sinha; F. M. Huang; P. N. Bartlett; N. Greenham; F. J. G. de Abajo; J. J. Baumberg
• Keywords: /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/affordable_and_clean_energy; name=SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy; 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 530; 7. Clean energy

Localized plasmon resonances of spherical nanovoid arrays strongly enhance solar cell performance by a factor of 3.5 in external quantum efficiency at plasmonic resonances, and a four-fold enhancement in overall power conversion efficiency. Large area substrates of silver nanovoids are electrochemically templated through self-assembled colloidal spheres and organic solar cells fabricated on top. Our design represents a new class of plasmonic photovoltaic enhancement: that of localized plasmon-enhanced absorption within nanovoid structures. Angularly-resolved spectra demonstrate strong localized Mie plasmon modes within the nanovoids. Theoretical modelling shows varied spatial dependence of light intensity within the void region suggesting a first possible route towards Third Generation plasmonic photovoltaics.