ENHANCED LIGHT-ABSORPTION IN ANODICALLY ETCHED SILICON-WAFERS

Two applications of porous silicon in the photovoltaic solar cell tech nology were investigated. The light-trapping effect was verified in po rous silicon covered wafers by spectral transmission and photoresponse measurements. In this case, micron-size pores act as efficient scatte rers for the incoming radiation. A thin nanoporous layer, which has a refractive index lower than that of silicon, was used for antireflecti on coating of the solar cells. The increase of the short-circuit curre nt by nearly 30% after a porous layer application has been observed.