Photonic crystal slab templates for (a) rectangular and (b) elliptical periodic holes used to optimize structures
The major drawback of solar cell technology is the low efficiency. Introducing PhCBR would allow for higher efficiencies that improve over current metal back reflectors. The better the reflective properties for the designed back reflectors allow for light to be trapped within the solar cell longer, thus allowing for a higher percentage of photons to be absorbed to produce electrical power.
To obtain the highest efficiency possible, a photonic crystal needs to be designed to have high reflectivity over a large frequency range corresponding to that of the solar output. The high reflectivity redirects light within a solar cell increasing absorption and improving efficiencies.
Using computational photonics, two-dimensional photonic crystal films where designed by optimizing the thickness, hole shape, and lattice constants.
