Maria Jabeen Phd Thesis.Pdf
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Design and Optimization of thin-film solar cell configuration structures using the Finite Element Method Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Author: Maria Jabeen Supervisor: Dr. Shyqyri Haxha Reader (FIET, FHEA, CEng, SMIEEE) Director of Graduates Head of Microwave Photonics and Sensors Department of Electronic Engineering School of Engineering, Physical and Mathematical Sciences Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, United Kingdom Royal Holloway University of London October 2020 Declaration of Authorship I ………Maria Jabeen……………. hereby declare that this thesis and the work presented in it is entirely my own. Where I have consulted the work of others, this is always clearly stated. I am aware of the University's regulations concerning plagiarism, including those regulations concerning disciplinary actions that may result from plagiarism. Any use of the works of any other author, in any form, is properly acknowledged at their point of use. This work is confidential and should not be shared with anyone without prior consent of the PhD Supervisor (Dr. Shyqyri Haxha). Signed: ____ __________________ Name (in capitals): _____MARIA JABEEN_____________ Date: ______02-10-2020__________________ Abstract To make solar energy more feasible, the solar cells efficiency must increase and its cost of production must decrease in order to generate on a large scale. Thin-film photovoltaic solar cells exhibit the prospects of increasing efficiency and decreasing material costs. Research in plasmonic nanoparticles structures, textured interfaces and branched nano wire solar cells is still relatively new compared to thin-film bulk silicon solar cells. Nanostructured materials are being investigated and developed as versatile components of optoelectronic devices with the ability to manipulate light (via plasmonic enhancement, photonic crystals, and so on) and control energy flow at nearly the atomic level. There are challenges to overcome for thin-film solar cell nanostructures (For example high light-trapping and absorption, high short circuit current, maximum conversion efficiency) but the potential benefits are worth the efforts. The research interest on graphene optoelectronics and photonics is quickly growing with the demonstration of high-performing devices such as modulators, photodetectors, saturable absorbers in the terahertz regime, and solar cells. To date, different approaches have been proposed to enhance graphene/graphite absorption from visible to infrared range. The objective of this thesis is to develop new techniques to enhance overall conversion efficiency and increase light absorption in thin active layers of graphene and graphite based silicon solar cells. We propose new techniques based on an optical simulation of maximum light-trapping in silicon thin-film solar cells with the goal of extreme light coupling and reduced parasitic absorption losses. Thin-film technology is considerably economical than other technologies because thin-film solar cell devices have comparatively less material and consume space and are based on various types of light absorbing semiconductor materials. Background literature of solar cells, simulation/numerical modelling techniques, and recent research approaches used in thin-film solar cell field are described in chapter 2-4. First reported structure is based on an optical simulation of microcrystalline silicon thin-film solar cells by using multitexture schemes and introducing an n-type cadmium sulfide (CdS) buffer layer and this is presented in chapter 5. In this chapter, an extreme light coupling and absorption in silicon absorber layer is shown. Moreover, photo-current is improved by optimizing the front and back i texturing of transparent conductive oxide layer and variation in buffer layer thickness. The research work presented in chapter 6 is based on graphene absorption regimes with deep nanograting that enables to produce strong electric field localization. This proposed solar cell configuration is capable of the generation of strong magnetic resonance fields. Nanograting/slit period leads to an increase absorption and significant transport of charge carriers. The intended structure has advantages of simple fabrication method, high optical absorption and short circuit current density. Furthermore, we investigate that the absorption improvement can be simply tuned by adjusting few geometric parameters. In order to minimize surface recombination, parasitic absorption losses and to increase rear reflections, a unique design of graphene/silicon solar cell back reflector is explored in chapter 7. An extreme light-trapping ability, and high inner scattering (for perfect optical waveguide) is achieved. This inner scattering offers best optical absorption by 90% at a 40° angle of incidence, maximum rear reflections, and good EM wave propagation through entire structure. Contrasted with the analogous reference cell devices, the light absorption was essentially improved by pyramid and semi-hexagon texture shape back dielectric-metal reflector in the visible to infrared region from 600 nm to 1200 nm. The final proposed optical simulation of a 3D graphite on h-BN interlayer-silicon solar cell is accomplished and described in chapter 8 where an anti-reflection coating, rear buffer layer stack and small 3D Nanoparticle dimensions offers optimal combination to produce high power, surface conductivity and current density. A patterned graphite layer with trivial nanoholes is able to generate strong magnetic resonance effect and high optical conductivity when integrating on top of silicon substrate. Furthermore, a detailed numerical and simulated investigation is presented and proposed results are able to give a valuable guideline for the feasible fabrication and designing of high-power conversion efficiency solar cells. ii Acknowledgments First, I am thankful to Allah Almighty, the most Generous and Merciful, who helped me to achieve my goal and giving me an opportunity, determination and strength to complete this research work. I would like to thank my supervisor Dr. Shyqyri Haxha for his guidance, helpful discussions and devoting long hours to guide me for research work and writings. I am thankful to my supervisor for supervising me and providing me inspiration for his genuine efforts in assisting me in this research journey. I could not be able to complete this research work without his real support and assistance. I would like to appreciate the provision of Royal Holloway University of London Lab in-charge and Staff of my Department for being so patient, kind and supportive throughout these years. I would also like to thank to Royal Holloway University of London for their support in completing the electronic Lab work that allowed me to implement critical research details in my work. I am thankful to my colleagues for providing me with thesis examples and their encouragement throughout my studies. Finally, I am grateful to my parents, and family for their support, encouragement and understanding. iii Dedication This thesis is dedicated to My beloved husband, who has been a constant source of support and encouragement during the challenges of my doctorate. I am truly thankful for having you in my life. I wish to express my heartfelt love to my kids Muhammad Hasan and Mirha Shahbaz for dealing with the undue parental deprivation during the time of my PhD. My mother, who taught me to trust in ALLAH, believe in hard work and that so much could be done with little. My father, who always believe in me and encouraging me that I can do it and to believe in myself. iv Table of Contents List of Figures ...................................................................................................................................... viii List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................ xii Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................. xiii Symbols ................................................................................................................................................ xv Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Research Aims ........................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Motivation and Research Problem .......................................................................................... 4 1.4 Milestones achieved .................................................................................................................. 5 1.5 Structure of the thesis ............................................................................................................... 6 Semiconductor Theory and Solar cell ..................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Solar Cell.................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Physics of Solar Cells ...............................................................................................................