Investigation of metal nanoparticles enhanced solar cell absorption

Optical absorption properties of organic solar cell with nano metal array embedded in are investigated with finite difference time domain (FDTD) algorithm-based numerical calculation. Ag nano pillar array embedded in the P3HT:PCBM photoactive layer with different pattern period, at different position, and pillar with different diameters are explored. The light absorption spectrum and Electric field intensities distribution at the optical absorption layer show the enhanced absorption in P3HT/PCBM layer. The strong E field distributions near the Ag edges are due to the Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effects. The calculation results suggest a proper metal nano pattern structure for enhancing the absorption efficiency of the organic solar cell.