On the use of localized plasmon polaritons in solar cells

Abstract

Abstract We describe some fundamental properties of localized plasmon polaritons in metallic nanoparticles, and discuss their use for enhancing solar cells efficiency by photon management. Two scenarios are detailed. The first is an example of spectral photon management utilizing localized plasmon polaritons to increase the up‐conversion efficiency of ions embedded in a glass matrix comprising metallic nanoparticles. The second example details quantitatively how the strong field enhancement and the large scattering cross‐section of plasmons at the resonance wavelength can be employed directly to enhance light absorption in thin‐film solar cells. Preliminary experimental results on tailoring appropriate materials are also shown. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)