Tandem Structured Hot Electron-based Photovoltaic Cell with Double Schottky Barriers

We show the novel hot electron based-solar energy conversion using tandem structured Schottky diode with double Schottky barriers. In this report, we show the effect of the double Schottky barriers on solar cell performance by enhancing both of internal photoemission and band-to-band excitation. The tandem structured Au/Si diode capped with TiO2 layer as second semiconductor exhibited improved ability for light harvesting. The proposed mechanisms consist of multiple reflections of hot electrons and additional pathway of solar energy conversion due to presence of multiple interfaces between thin gold film and semiconductors. Short-circuit photocurrent measured on the tandem structured Au/Si diodes under illumination of AM1.5 increased by approximately 70% from 3.1% to 5.3% and overall incident photon to electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) was enhanced in visible light, revealing that the concept of the double Schottky barriers have significant potential as novel strategy for light harvesting.