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open source FDTD solver with GPU support

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app:sinw [2018/02/02 11:11]
pklapetek
app:sinw [2018/02/02 11:29]
pklapetek
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 ===== Silicon nanowire ===== ===== Silicon nanowire =====
  
-In this application example we calculate the field distribution in a silicon ​nanowire ​based solar cell.+In this application example we calculate the field distribution in a silicon ​nanowires ​based solar cell. This is one of many advanced options how to construct better solar cells. As the solar cell performance highly depends on the local absorption of light, FDTD can be an useful tool for exploring in which regions of the sample the light gets absorbed.
  
 +{{:​app:​j_sinw.png?​400 |}}
 +The example shown here is related to radial junction solar cell structures presented in Ref. 1.
 +Two different models were constructed as shown on the left image. In model "​A"​ a periodic array of structured is created using single NW/aSi/ITO column and periodic boundary conditions. This can be used to evaluate effect of column spacing films thicknesses,​ length or tilt on resulting structure performance. In model "​B"​ 3x3 differently tilted columns are used as basic building block for periodic array construction. This is useful to estimate effects of random column orientation. In principle this could be expanded up to 7x7 array basic building block, however for even larger building blocks the computation would be too long and memory demanding.
  
-Aim of this numerical experiment ​was to calculate local absorption in different parts of a silicon nanowire ​(NW) based solar cell, with possibility ​of evaluating different geometrical parameters influence on cell performance.+All the optical data were taken from SOPRA database. Structure was illuminated from top or from bottom by a linearly polarised plane wave. Glass at the bottom ​of the structure ​was treated as infinitely extending. Voxel spacing was 7 nm. Geometrical parameters ​of a single column were as follows in first set of simulations ​(radii of nested cylinders capped by spheres and apparent thickness of the film if seen from side):
  
-Two different models were constructed as shown on the right image. They always consist of several materials (TCO that was handled as ITO, amorphous silicon, crystalline silicon that was treated as Si 100 and eventually also a Sn nanoparticle on the top of the NW that was treated as perfect electric conductor). In model "​A" ​periodic array of structured is created using single NW/aSi/ITO column and periodic boundary conditions. This can be used to evaluate effect of column spacing films thicknesses,​ length or tilt on resulting structure performance. In model "​B"​ 3x3 differently tilted columns are used as basic building block for periodic array construction. This is useful to estimate effects of random column orientation. In principle this could be expanded up to 7x7 array basic building block, however for even larger building blocks the computation would be too long and memory demanding.+^ material ​      ^ cylinder radius ^ film thickness ​    ^ 
 +Si NW          | 28 nm    ​| ​                   | 
 +| (i) a:Si-H | 161 nm    ​| ​       67 nm       | 
 +| (n) a:Si-H | 182 nm    ​| ​       11 nm       | 
 +| TCO            | 350 nm    ​| ​       84 nm       |
  
-All the optical data were taken from SOPRA database. Structure was illuminated from top or from bottom by a linearly polarised plane wave. Glass at the bottom of the structure was treated as infinitely extending. Voxel spacing was 7 nm. 
-  
- 
-Geometrical parameters of a single column were as follows in first set of simulations (radii of nested cylinders capped by spheres and apparent thickness of the film if seen from side): 
- 
-material cylinder radius film thickness 
-Si NW 28 nm  
-(i) a:Si-H 161 nm 67 nm 
-(n) a:Si-H 182 nm 11 nm 
-TCO 350 nm 84 nm 
  
 Bottom ITO thickness was 630 nm. All these parameters can be changed and were considered only as initial values, a bit smaller than ideal values, to speed up the first test calculations. Bottom ITO thickness was 630 nm. All these parameters can be changed and were considered only as initial values, a bit smaller than ideal values, to speed up the first test calculations.
  
-Images below show how the models look in parameter files visualiser ​XSvit that is part of the FDTD package. Left to right: Single column, ideal 3x3 array, randomized 3x3 array. +Images below show how the models look in XSvit. Left to right: Single column, ideal 3x3 array, randomized 3x3 array. 
 +{{ :​app:​j_sinw_xsvit.png?​600 |}}
   
  
-Numerical ​results+As an example of numerical ​results ​here we show resulting time averaged spatial distribution of absorption in single column structure illuminated from top (left) and bottom (right), for 500 nm illumination wavelength. Visualisation was performed using Paraview. 
 +{{ :​app:​j_sinw_individuals.png?​500 |}}
  
-Here we show resulting time averaged spatial distribution of absorption in single column structure illuminated from top (left) and bottom (right), for 500 nm illumination wavelength. Visualisation was performed using Paraview. 
- 
-  
- 
-Time averaged spatial distribution of absorption in 3x3 column structure illuminated from bottom, for regular (left) and irregular (right) column geometry for 500 nm illumination wavelength: 
  
   
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 The same model 3D view including better probe sketch is shown below: (left) geometry, (center) 400 nm illumination,​ (right) 600 nm illumination,​ The same model 3D view including better probe sketch is shown below: (left) geometry, (center) 400 nm illumination,​ (right) 600 nm illumination,​
 +
 +
 +[1] A. Fejfar, M. Hývl, A. Vetushka, P. Pikna, Z. Hájková, M. Ledinský, J. Kočka, P. Klapetek, A. Marek, A. Mašková, J. Vyskočil, J. Merkel, C. Becker, T. Itoh, S. Misra, M. Foldyna, LW. Yu, P. R. I Cabarrocas, Correlative microscopy of radial junction nanowire solar cells using nanoindent position markers, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 135 (2015) 106-112 ​
 +
app/sinw.txt · Last modified: 2018/08/30 10:12 by pklapetek