Aalto University scientists have achieved an improvement in light absorption and surface passivation of silicon nanostructures after applying an atomic layer coating.
This finding may advance high sensitivity light response devices such as high efficiency solar cells.
Researchers detailed their findings in the January issue of Journal of Photovoltaics.
Surface passivation is improved by utilizing this method and it reduces the reflectance on all wavelengths. By using black silicon (b-Si) surfaces on solar cells, researchers have found that efficiency increases greatly.
It has taken a while to develop black silicon into a viable material for mainstream use. It can also be used in drug analysis.
Researchers have been interested in black silicon for years thanks to its ability to reduce surface reflectance to below 1%.
Some b-Si applications are plagued with surface recombination resulting in poor spectral response – especially when considering short wavelengths.
