Three Dimensional Back Reflector for Solar Cells

Master thesis (2017)

Authors

B.I. Carlsen Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Contributors

R. Santbergen (mentor)
O. Isabella (mentor)
N. Rezaei (mentor)
S.F. Pereira (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
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Published Date

20-10-2017

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Abstract

Two dimensional plasmonic back reflectors have shown the ability to match the
scattering performance of standard back reflectors. However, three dimensional
plasmonic structures have not yet been thoroughly investigated. Here, the scat-
tering properties of a 3D plasmonic structure are approached at three levels of
system. First, the scattering properties of different types of particles are inves-
tigated. An optimum particle size is found for both spherical and cylindrical
silver particles. The interaction of two particles is then studied. By comparing
numerical and analytic results, the strength of different effects is explored. It is
found that dipole-dipole interactions can not be ignored within the structure.
Finally, the effect of the lattice structure on the scattering properties is probed.
A new lattice summation method is developed, revealing that only particles near
the point of interest must be considered. Several 3D devices were fabricated to
investigate the properties of self forming metal island films. It was found that
the surface morphology of layers deposited on top of these films, do not depend
on the properties of the film.

Files

Thesis.pdf
(pdf | 18.5 Mb)