A Review of Electromagnetic Radiation Impacts on Heterojunction Intrinsic Thin Layer Solar Cells

Abstract

Heterojunction Intrinsic Thin Layer solar cells (HIT cells) are a fascinating variant of the solar cell, which has its development centered with the special ―thin‖ intrinsic layer. These solar cells are relatively modern compared to those first created. Despite such solar cells, their relationships to electromagnetic radiation have yet to be fully specified. This review will focus on the Photoelectric Effect, Diffraction and Interference, Absorption and Emission, and Ionization of electromagnetic radiation on these specific cells. Furthermore, mathematical representations of energy with and without gratings will be referred to. Although HIT cells respond similarly to electromagnetic radiation as general solar cells, their design and novel developments have led to a few differences in structure and thus efficiency. In general, HIT cells function via the photoelectric effect with diffraction gratings or metal gratings using light’s wave properties to improve efficiency. Depending on the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, light is absorbed—the intrinsic layer aids in increased open-circuit voltage.