Abstract

I propose analytical expressions for the light absorption in the active layer of an a-Si:H solar cell (SC), for non-coherent light interaction in this layer, as well as for coherent interaction, considering inclined incidence of light. The contribution of the scattered light to the integral collection efficiency (ICE) of a SC with an indium-tin-oxide conductive transparent oxide contact (CTOC) or with a SnO₂ CTOC is estimated. Computations about the collection efficiency of a SC are implemented for various cases of light interaction in the layers of the SC. This allows the different appearances of the collection efficiency of SCs in practice to be explained, based on the nature of light interaction in CTOC and the active layer, which is related to their surface roughness. It is possible to calculate some optical characteristics of the transparent contact or the active layer by using the collection efficiency, when the light interaction is coherent in the respective layer. The influence of an anti-reflection coating and two-layer CTOC on the collection efficiency of a SC is also investigated, as well as the thickness dependence of ICE.

© 1992 Optical Society of America