Silicon interference solar cells for photonic power conversion and broad band applications

We present the concept of interference solar cells for enhanced absorption in thin (<13 μm) silicon absorber layers for high efficiency, targeted wavelength energy conversion, using a silicon heterojunction (SHJ) layer stack. Significant absorption enhancements are computationally demonstrated for a broad range of single, targeted wavelengths (300-1100 nm). Up to 91% absorption occurs in the long wavelength range—an absolute enhancement of 23% compared to absorption of the same wavelength in conventional SHJs. Compared to SHJs of similar thickness, these enhancements give a short circuit current density increase of 19% (from 25.8 mA/cm² to 30.7 mA/cm²).