Plasmonic particles arrays on large areas for photon management

In photovoltaic research, two major optimization directions have emerged: the realization of thinner cells while simultaneously reaching higher efficiencies. Therefore, photon management approaches become more and more important. A promising light trapping approach is the use of metallic nanoparticles revealing plasmonic effects. In plasmonics advantage is taken of scattering and the field enhancement around the nanostructure. This leads to an enhancement of the path lengths of light inside the solar cell, resulting in an enhanced absorption probability. We present a fabrication process, applicable to large areas, to realize arrays of uniform, defined metallic nanoparticles using interference lithography, nanoimprint lithography and a lift-off process. The obtained nanoparticles are characterized with Fourier spectrometer measurements. The experimental results are then compared to Mie and rigorous coupled wave analysis simulations.