Plasmonic quantum dot solar cells for enhanced infrared response

Abstract

Enhanced near infrared photoresponse in plasmonic InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot solar cells (QDSC) is demonstrated. Long wavelength light absorption in the wetting-layer and quantum-dot region of the quantum dot solar cell is enhanced through scattering of light by silver nanoparticles deposited on the solar cell surface. Plasmonic light trapping results in simultaneous increase in short-circuit current density by 5.3% and open circuit voltage by 0.9% in the QDSC, leading to an overall efficiency enhancement of 7.6%.