Role of the spacer layer in plasmonic antireflection coatings comprised of gold or silver nanoparticles

Tristan L. Temple; Svetlana Dligatch

doi:10.1117/1.JPE.5.053095

Translator Disclaimer

12 March 2015 Role of the spacer layer in plasmonic antireflection coatings comprised of gold or silver nanoparticles

Tristan L. Temple, Svetlana Dligatch

Author Affiliations +

J. of Photonics for Energy, 5(1), 053095 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JPE.5.053095

Abstract

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) can increase the absorption of light within semiconductors and hence improve the efficiency of solar cells. We experimentally investigate the effect that gold and silver NPs have on the reflectance of silicon wafers. The NPs are fabricated using the low cost, large area technique of thermal dewetting. We show that a dielectric spacer layer between the NPs and the semiconductor is required to achieve a net reduction of reflection. Furthermore, the optimum thickness of the spacer layer is found to be independent of NP size and metal type.

Citation Download Citation

Tristan L. Temple and Svetlana Dligatch "Role of the spacer layer in plasmonic antireflection coatings comprised of gold or silver nanoparticles," Journal of Photonics for Energy 5(1), 053095 (12 March 2015). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JPE.5.053095

Published: 12 March 2015

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE