Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e01781 |
| Journal | Advanced optical materials |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 35 |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Dec 2025 |
Abstract
Photonic crystal (PhC) light trapping is predicted to enhance absorption beyond the Lambertian limit, potentially increasing silicon solar cell efficiencies above 28%. However, integrating PhC structures into high-efficiency devices at scale remains challenging. PhC textures are integrated into back-contacted silicon solar cells by combining femtosecond laser ablation of alumina masks with dry etching. Excellent surface passivation is maintained using an isotropic defect-removal process based on ammonia peroxide mixture (APM). This preserves the front-side texture and keeps optical reflection low. The PhC-patterned cells deliver minority carrier lifetimes and carrier collection efficiencies comparable to state-of-the-art high efficiency devices. A certified efficiency of 23.1% is achieved. The quantum efficiency of the thick (190–290 µm) solar cells, however, shows no clear wave-optical resonances under standard conditions, despite the high structural and electronic quality. Scalability is improved by applying direct laser writing with Gaussian and Bessel beams and developing a periodically anchored mask design. This enables uniform, large-area patterning. These advancements mark a key step toward the practical implementation of PhC-enhanced silicon photovoltaics.
Keywords
- Bessel beam, femtosecond laser ablation, light trapping, periodically anchored mask, photonic crystal textures, silicon solar cells
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
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In: Advanced optical materials, Vol. 13, No. 35, e01781, 10.12.2025.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Integration of Laser-Patterned Photonic Crystals in Si Solar Cells
AU - Rienäcker, Michael
AU - Römer, Udo
AU - Krügener, Jan
AU - Maksimovic, Jovan
AU - Katkus, Tomas
AU - Stonytė, Dominyka
AU - Ng, Soon Hock
AU - Mu, Haoran
AU - Le, Nguyen Hoai An
AU - Khajehsaeidimahabadi, Zahra
AU - Seniutinas, Gediminas
AU - Baltrukonis, Justas
AU - Ulčinas, Orestas
AU - Mikutis, Mindaugas
AU - Sabonis, Vytautas
AU - Nishijima, Yoshiaki
AU - John, Sajeev
AU - Juodkazis, Saulius
AU - Peibst, Robby
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Advanced Optical Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.
PY - 2025/12/10
Y1 - 2025/12/10
N2 - Photonic crystal (PhC) light trapping is predicted to enhance absorption beyond the Lambertian limit, potentially increasing silicon solar cell efficiencies above 28%. However, integrating PhC structures into high-efficiency devices at scale remains challenging. PhC textures are integrated into back-contacted silicon solar cells by combining femtosecond laser ablation of alumina masks with dry etching. Excellent surface passivation is maintained using an isotropic defect-removal process based on ammonia peroxide mixture (APM). This preserves the front-side texture and keeps optical reflection low. The PhC-patterned cells deliver minority carrier lifetimes and carrier collection efficiencies comparable to state-of-the-art high efficiency devices. A certified efficiency of 23.1% is achieved. The quantum efficiency of the thick (190–290 µm) solar cells, however, shows no clear wave-optical resonances under standard conditions, despite the high structural and electronic quality. Scalability is improved by applying direct laser writing with Gaussian and Bessel beams and developing a periodically anchored mask design. This enables uniform, large-area patterning. These advancements mark a key step toward the practical implementation of PhC-enhanced silicon photovoltaics.
AB - Photonic crystal (PhC) light trapping is predicted to enhance absorption beyond the Lambertian limit, potentially increasing silicon solar cell efficiencies above 28%. However, integrating PhC structures into high-efficiency devices at scale remains challenging. PhC textures are integrated into back-contacted silicon solar cells by combining femtosecond laser ablation of alumina masks with dry etching. Excellent surface passivation is maintained using an isotropic defect-removal process based on ammonia peroxide mixture (APM). This preserves the front-side texture and keeps optical reflection low. The PhC-patterned cells deliver minority carrier lifetimes and carrier collection efficiencies comparable to state-of-the-art high efficiency devices. A certified efficiency of 23.1% is achieved. The quantum efficiency of the thick (190–290 µm) solar cells, however, shows no clear wave-optical resonances under standard conditions, despite the high structural and electronic quality. Scalability is improved by applying direct laser writing with Gaussian and Bessel beams and developing a periodically anchored mask design. This enables uniform, large-area patterning. These advancements mark a key step toward the practical implementation of PhC-enhanced silicon photovoltaics.
KW - Bessel beam
KW - femtosecond laser ablation
KW - light trapping
KW - periodically anchored mask
KW - photonic crystal textures
KW - silicon solar cells
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105021241454&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/adom.202501781
DO - 10.1002/adom.202501781
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105021241454
VL - 13
JO - Advanced optical materials
JF - Advanced optical materials
SN - 2195-1071
IS - 35
M1 - e01781
ER -