Mie resonances of dielectric nanostructures for light trapping and spectral conversion applications in photovoltaics

• Applicant: Dr. Alexander Sprafke
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2016 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 299229277

In this project, we aim to exploit the optical response of dielectric nanostructures to enhance solar cells. The nanostructures, e.g. high-refractive index dielectric nanoparticles (NPs), shall have characteristic feature sizes of tens to a few hundred nanometers. With these dimensions, the structures operate in the Mie scattering regime in which geometrical resonances dominate the optical response of the NPs. Mie resonances in these particles lead to resonantly enhanced light scattering or increased electromagnetic near-field. In this regard, they seem similar to metallic NPs. In comparison to metallic, i.e. plasmonic, NPs the main advantage of dielectric NPs is their lack of (or at least orders of magnitude smaller) intrinsic absorption. This makes dielectric NPs attractive for applications in which losses need to be kept as low as possible, e.g. in solar cells. Here, we wish to explore two aspects of Mie resonances in dielectric NPs: Light scattering into the far-field for an efficient light path enhancement in thin solar cells as well as their suitability as efficient receiving and emitting nanoantennas for frequency conversion. Both aspects shall be investigated with the aim to enhance solar cells. In this regard, working at the School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is supposedly very fruitful. UNSW has a strong history in photovoltaics and its researches are renowned experts in this field, both experimentally as well as theoretically.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Australia
• Host: Professor Gavin Conibeer