Optimal design of bandpass filters to reduce emission from photovoltaic cells under monochromatic illumination

We have theoretically investigated photovoltaic cells used under the illumination condition of monochromatic light incident from a particular direction, which is very different from that for solar cells under natural sunlight, using detailed balance modeling. A multilayer bandpass filter formed on the surface of the cell has been found to trap the light generated by radiative recombination inside the cell, reduce emission from the cell, and consequently improve conversion efficiency. The light trapping mechanism is interpreted in terms of a one-dimensional photonic crystal, and the design guide to optimize the multilayer structure has been clarified. For obliquely incident illumination, as well as normal incidence, a significant light trapping effect has been achieved, although the emission patterns are extremely different from each other depending on the incident directions. (C) 2015 The Japan Society of Applied Physics