Photonic crystals for improving light absorption in organic solar cells

D. Duché; L. Escoubas; J.-J. Simon; C. Gourgon; C. Masclaux; Ph. Torchio; J. Le Rouzo; F. Flory

doi:10.1117/12.909091

21 February 2012 Photonic crystals for improving light absorption in organic solar cells

D. Duché, L. Escoubas, J.-J. Simon, C. Gourgon, C. Masclaux, Ph. Torchio, J. Le Rouzo, F. Flory

Proceedings Volume 8256, Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices; 82561K (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.909091
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2012, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

We theoretically and experimentally study the structuration of organic solar cells in the shape of photonic crystal slabs. Using a Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method, we investigate the double structuration of the PEDOT:PSS layer and the metallic electrode. By taking advantage of the optical properties of photonic crystals slabs, we show the possibility to couple Bloch modes with very low group velocities in the active layer of the cells. Such Bloch modes, also called slow Bloch modes (SBMs), allow increasing the lifetime of photons within the active layer. We show that an absorption gain ranging between 4% and 11% is possible according to the band gap of the organic material. Finally, we present experimental demonstration performed using nanoimprint to directly pattern the standard organic semiconductor P3HT :PCBM blend in thin film form in the shape of a photonic crystal able to couple SBMs.

Citation Download Citation

D. Duché, L. Escoubas, J.-J. Simon, C. Gourgon, C. Masclaux, Ph. Torchio, J. Le Rouzo, and F. Flory "Photonic crystals for improving light absorption in organic solar cells", Proc. SPIE 8256, Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices, 82561K (21 February 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.909091

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