Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) researchers are leveraging unique Laboratory capabilities to make highly efficient, low-cost crystalline solar cells based on economical thin film processing approaches by means of nanomaterials synthesis.
Photon absorption length scales are long in silicon, thereby requiring thick silicon layers of very high quality due to the slow diffusion processes to collect the electrical charge carriers that produce electricity. In the past, textured surfaces have been utilized to enhance optical absorption, but expensive single crystal fabrication processes are required for good efficiency.
LANL researchers aim to use nanoscale crystalline silicon nanowire structures to greatly reduce absorption distances while achieving efficiencies comparable to single crystal bulk solar cells. However, there are several issues that must be resolved before nanowire technology will be adopted for photovoltaic applications. The metrology of nanoscale materials must continue so that intra-wire properties can be better characterized, and performance enhancements achieved and understood.
LANL has several unique capabilities at the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT) to aid in this endeavor:
- VLS Si/Ge nanowire synthesis by CVD
- Electrical transport and optical response measurements
- Ultra-fast optical spectroscopy
- Rutherford backscattering spectrometry
- Scanning electron microscopy
- Vapor deposition
- Metal and dielectric deposition
- Plasma etch
- Electron beam lithography
- Photolithography
- Wet processing
- The Electrical Transport Discovery Platform™
Nanowires have the potential to enhance the scattering and absorption of light in photovoltaics while retaining their single crystal structure. The scientists developing this capability welcome the opportunity to partner with industry to advance its potential.
More info: Laura Barber, 505-667-9266, ljbb@lanl.gov
