M Demir*, D Jiménez Tejero, B Fuhrmann, H Kempa, A Sprafke and R Scheer Ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells: enhanced absorption by nanotextured functional back contacts JPhys Energy 7-4 (0000),
Ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cell conversion efficiencies are limited by incomplete absorption of
the solar spectrum. In this study, we experimentally investigate a light management strategy to
enhance the performance of ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) solar cells through the
implementation of a functional back contact with SiO2 nanostructure scatterers and a planar gold
reflector. External quantum efficiency (EQE) and current–voltage measurements reveal significant
improvements in short-circuit current density (Jsc), with a notable increase from 21.6 mA cm?2 to
27 mA cm?2 with a 25% increase for 300 nm CIGSe absorbers when transitioning from
conventional molybdenum back contacts to functional back contacts with 500 nm SiO2 scatterers.
This enhancement is attributed to a light trapping effect. Also, backside nanostructures imprint a
height profile into all layers on top, which provides strongly suppressed front reflection. However,
these gains are partially offset by reductions in open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF)
possibly due to shunt pathways introduced by the nanotextured architecture. The highest power
conversion efficiency of 12.9% was achieved with a 500 nm CIGSe absorber and 500 nm SiO2
scatterers, representing a 1.8% absolute efficiency gain over the reference Mo-based design. Optical
simulations corroborate the experimental EQE trends, highlighting the role of nanostructure
geometry in optimizing light absorption. Our findings demonstrate that carefully engineered light
management structures can mitigate absorption losses in ultrathin CIGSe solar cells, providing the
way for high-efficiency, cost-effective photovoltaic devices Keywords: ultrathin, solar, cells, enhanced, absorption, light management https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2515-7655/ade828/pdf
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