Broadband nanostructured antireflection coating on glass for photovoltaic applications

Ultra-high, omnidirectional transmittance through a coated glass window is demonstrated over the entire accessible portion of the solar spectrum. The average broadband transmittance has been increased to greater than 98.5% at normal incidence, and exceeds 97.8% at all wavelengths between 440 nm and 1800 nm, significantly outperforming conventional MgF₂ coated glass. The measured improvement in transmittance results from coating the window with a new class of materials consisting of porous SiO₂ nanorods. The step-graded antireflection structure also exhibits excellent omnidirectional performance, enabling average broadband transmittance in excess of 96% at incident angles as high as 70°.