The influence of silver core position on enhanced photon absorption of single nanowire α-Si solar cells.

Photon absorption of single nanowire solar cells can be modulated by metallic core. Silver core was integrated into α-Si single nanowire solar cells (SNSCs), and the influence of silver core position on enhanced photon absorption efficiency and the short circuit current (J(sc)) was investigated. The finite-difference time domain (FDTD) method was used to rigorously solve Maxwell's equations in two dimensions. The J(sc) decreases when the silver core is integrated into the center of nanowire. However, the photon absorption efficiencies and J(sc) could be enhanced by tuning the core position in the nanowire. J(sc) enhancement of 21.4% is achieved when nanowire radius R is 190 nm, core radius r is 30 nm, the silver core is located in the negative Y-axis and the distance from the center of silver core to the origin d is 102 nm under realistic solar illumination.