Broadband, polarization-independent, omnidirectional, metamaterial-based antireflection coating for solar cells

Stanford researchers have developed a new approach to suppress reflection and achieve near-unity light transmission in silicon-based solar cells. This technology can replace traditional anti-reflection coatings with engineered nanostructures manipulating light at the nanoscale. Near-unity transmission of light into the absorbing layer has been demonstrated in a broad range of visible wavelengths for unpolarized light. The average reflection from silicon has been reduced from 35% to less than 3% across the wavelength range 450-750 nm, which can lead to a substantial solar cell efficiency with limited modifications in the device structure and no changes required in the absorbing layer. Compared to other technologies for reducing reflection, this method is lower cost with higher durability.

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Stage of Research