Optimized design of silicon-based moth eye nanostructures for thin film solar cells

Utilization of moth eye anti-reflection coatings has attracted significant interest to achieve broadband anti-reflective properties. In this study, particle swarm optimization has been employed aiming to improve the performance of thin film solar cells. Numerical simulations based upon the finite-difference time-domain method have been used for extracting the optical properties of the structure. The shape and dimensions of silicon-based moth eye nanostructures have been optimized in the wavelength range from 350 to 850 nm. A low reflectance factor less than 4% has been obtained resulting in a great broadband solar absorption of more than 96% over the mentioned wavelength span. The results prove the efficacy of the proposed method for performance enhancement of similar structures, as well.