Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Nanometer scale imaging to develop quantitative descriptors of bipolar membrane junction structure.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Ultrafast, reconfigurable all-optical beam steering and spatial light modulation.

Nature nanotechnology·2026
Same author

Experimental demonstration of corrugated nanolaminate films as reflective light sails.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Electrically reconfigurable polarization control with double tri-layer black phosphorus heterostructures.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

<i>Operando</i> Multimodal Electron Microscopy of Perovskite Nano-LEDs: Nanoscale Degradation and Recovery Behavior.

ACS nano·2026
Same author

dsRNA-Loaded Silica Nanoparticles for the Management of Potato Virus Y in Potato Plants.

ACS nano·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Integration of Light Trapping Silver Nanostructures in Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells by Transfer Printing
08:45

Integration of Light Trapping Silver Nanostructures in Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells by Transfer Printing

Published on: November 9, 2015

Modeling light trapping in nanostructured solar cells.

Vivian E Ferry1, Albert Polman, Harry A Atwater

  • 1Thomas J. Watson Laboratories of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States. veferry@lbl.gov

ACS Nano
|November 16, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Nanophotonic and plasmonic structures enhance solar cell light absorption by controlling light at the nanoscale. Aluminum is identified as a viable plasmonic back contact material for improved solar energy conversion.

More Related Videos

Polycrystalline Silicon Thin-film Solar cells with Plasmonic-enhanced Light-trapping
09:32

Polycrystalline Silicon Thin-film Solar cells with Plasmonic-enhanced Light-trapping

Published on: July 2, 2012

Harvesting Solar Energy by Means of Charge-Separating Nanocrystals and Their Solids
13:29

Harvesting Solar Energy by Means of Charge-Separating Nanocrystals and Their Solids

Published on: August 23, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 27, 2026

Integration of Light Trapping Silver Nanostructures in Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells by Transfer Printing
08:45

Integration of Light Trapping Silver Nanostructures in Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Silicon Solar Cells by Transfer Printing

Published on: November 9, 2015

Polycrystalline Silicon Thin-film Solar cells with Plasmonic-enhanced Light-trapping
09:32

Polycrystalline Silicon Thin-film Solar cells with Plasmonic-enhanced Light-trapping

Published on: July 2, 2012

Harvesting Solar Energy by Means of Charge-Separating Nanocrystals and Their Solids
13:29

Harvesting Solar Energy by Means of Charge-Separating Nanocrystals and Their Solids

Published on: August 23, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Optoelectronics
  • Nanotechnology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Solar cells require efficient light absorption for optimal performance.
  • Nanophotonic and plasmonic structures offer precise control over light at the nanoscale.
  • Integrating these structures can enhance light absorption and reduce material usage in solar cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate light resonances in solar cells with plasmonic and nanostructured components.
  • To identify localized and guided modes that boost light absorption.
  • To optimize solar cell design and evaluate aluminum as a plasmonic back contact.

Main Methods:

  • Electromagnetic modeling was employed to simulate and analyze solar cell structures.
  • Resonances within the nanostructured semiconductor top contacts and plasmonic metal back contacts were studied.
  • The influence of different interfaces on light absorption was investigated.

Main Results:

  • Specific localized and guided modes contributing to enhanced light absorption were identified.
  • The design parameters for optimizing light absorption were determined.
  • Aluminum (Al) was confirmed as a suitable material for plasmonic back contacts.

Conclusions:

  • Nanophotonic and plasmonic integration significantly enhances light absorption in solar cells.
  • Optimized designs incorporating these structures lead to improved solar energy conversion efficiency.
  • Aluminum presents a promising alternative for plasmonic back contacts in advanced solar cell architectures.