Integration of Laser‐Patterned Photonic Crystals in Si Solar Cells

Abstract Photonic crystal (PhC) light trapping is predicted to enhance absorption beyond the Lambertian limit, potentially increasing silicon solar cell efficiencies above 28%. However, integrating PhC structures into high‐efficiency devices at scale remains challenging. PhC textures are integrated into back‐contacted silicon solar cells by combining femtosecond laser ablation of alumina masks with dry etching. Excellent surface passivation is maintained using an isotropic defect‐removal process based on ammonia peroxide mixture (APM). This preserves the front‐side texture and keeps optical reflection low. The PhC‐patterned cells deliver minority carrier lifetimes and carrier collection efficiencies comparable to state‐of‐the‐art high efficiency devices. A certified efficiency of 23.1% is achieved. The quantum efficiency of the thick (190–290 µm) solar cells, however, shows no clear wave‐optical resonances under standard conditions, despite the high structural and electronic quality. Scalability is improved by applying direct laser writing with Gaussian and Bessel beams and developing a periodically anchored mask design. This enables uniform, large‐area patterning. These advancements mark a key step toward the practical implementation of PhC‐enhanced silicon photovoltaics.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Optical Materials
Published
2025-11-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202501781
Primary Topic
Silicon Nanostructures and Photoluminescence
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Integration of Laser‐Patterned Photonic Crystals in Si Solar Cells

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Advanced Optical Materials
Silicon Nanostructures and Photoluminescence
article

Integration of Laser‐Patterned Photonic Crystals in Si Solar Cells

Sajeev John, Orestas Ulčinas, Soon Hock Ng, Vytautas Sabonis, Gediminas Seniutinas, Robby Peibst, Saulius Juodkazis, Nguyen Hoai An Le, Mindaugas Mikutis, Udo Römer, Dominyka Stonytė, Michael Rienäcker, Tomas A. Katkus, Justas Baltrukonis, Jovan Maksimovic, Jan Krügener, Yoshiaki Nishijima, Zahra Khajehsaeidimahabadi, Haoran Mu
article en

Abstract

Abstract Photonic crystal (PhC) light trapping is predicted to enhance absorption beyond the Lambertian limit, potentially increasing silicon solar cell efficiencies above 28%. However, integrating PhC structures into high‐efficiency devices at scale remains challenging. PhC textures are integrated into back‐contacted silicon solar cells by combining femtosecond laser ablation of alumina masks with dry etching. Excellent surface passivation is maintained using an isotropic defect‐removal process based on ammonia peroxide mixture (APM). This preserves the front‐side texture and keeps optical reflection low. The PhC‐patterned cells deliver minority carrier lifetimes and carrier collection efficiencies comparable to state‐of‐the‐art high efficiency devices. A certified efficiency of 23.1% is achieved. The quantum efficiency of the thick (190–290 µm) solar cells, however, shows no clear wave‐optical resonances under standard conditions, despite the high structural and electronic quality. Scalability is improved by applying direct laser writing with Gaussian and Bessel beams and developing a periodically anchored mask design. This enables uniform, large‐area patterning. These advancements mark a key step toward the practical implementation of PhC‐enhanced silicon photovoltaics.

Advanced Optical MaterialsVol. 13(35)
Leibniz University Hannover (DE), Tokyo Institute of Technology (JP), Vilnius University (LT), Yokohama National University (JP), University of Toronto (CA), Innovative Research (United States) (US), Institut für Solarenergieforschung (DE), Swinburne University of Technology (AU)
Australian National Fabrication Facility, Australian Government, European Commission, Swinburne University of Technology, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Leibniz-Gemeinschaft, Institute of Gender and Health
Openalex Percentile: Top 74%
Silicon Nanostructures and Photoluminescence
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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