DataVXAdvanced Optical MaterialsPaper
journal article·2025-12Open access

Integration of Laser‐Patterned Photonic Crystals in Si Solar Cells

Michael Rienäcker, Udo Römer, Jan Krügener, Jovan Maksimovic, Tomas Katkus, Dominyka Stonytė, Soon Hock Ng, Haoran Mu, Nguyen Hoai An Le, Zahra Khajehsaeidimahabadi, Gediminas Seniutinas, Justas Baltrukonis, Orestas Ulčinas, Mindaugas Mikutis, Vytautas Sabonis, Yoshiaki Nishijima, Sajeev John, Saulius Juodkazis, Robby Peibst

Advanced Optical Materials· Volume 13· Issue 35
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Source abstract

Abstract

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.
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Research context

Electronic materials

OpenAlex topics: Silicon Nanostructures and Photoluminescence · Thin-Film Transistor Technologies · Laser Material Processing Techniques

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Institute for Solar Energy Research in Hamelin (ISFH) Am Ohrberg 1 31860 Emmerthal Germany

Institute of Electronic Materials and Devices Leibniz Universität Hannover Schneiderberg 32 30167 Hannover Germany

Optical Sciences Centre ARC Training Centre in Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials (SEAM) Swinburne University of Technology Hawthorn Victoria 3122 Australia

Laser Research Center Physics Faculty Vilnius University Saulėtekio Ave. 10 Vilnius 10223 Lithuania

Altechna R&D Workshop of Photonics Mokslininku̧ str. 6A Vilnius 08412 Lithuania

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Yokohama National University 79‐5 Tokiwadai Hodogaya‐ku Yokohama 240‐8501 Japan

Department of Physics University of Toronto 60 St. George Street Toronto ON M5S 1A7 Canada

WRH Program International Research Frontiers Initiative (IRFI) Tokyo Institute of Technology Nagatsuta‐cho, Midori‐ku Yokohama Kanagawa 226‐8503 Japan

Funding

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz · Australian Research Council · H2020 European Research Council

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