Rasouli, H. R.Ghobadi, A.Ghobadi, T. G. U.Ates, H.Topalli, K.Okyay, Ali Kemal2018-04-122018-04-1220172040-8978http://hdl.handle.net/11693/37166In this paper, we demonstrate the enhancement of photovoltaic (PV) solar cell efficiency using luminescent silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs). Sub-10 nm Si-NPs are synthesized via pulsed laser ablation technique. These ultra-small Si nanoparticles exhibit photoluminescence (PL) character tics at 425 and 517 nm upon excitation by ultra-violet (UV) light. Therefore, they can act as secondary light sources that convert high energetic photons to ones at visible range. This down-shifting property can be a promising approach to enhance PV performance of the solar cell, regardless of its type. As proof-of-concept, polycrystalline commercial solar cells with an efficiency of ca 10% are coated with these luminescent Si-NPs. The nanoparticle-decorated solar cells exhibit up to 1.64% increase in the external quantum efficiency with respect to the uncoated reference cells. According to spectral photo-responsivity characterizations, the efficiency enhancement is stronger in wavelengths below 550 nm. As expected, this is attributed to down-shifting via Si-NPs, which is verified by their PL characteristics. The results presented here can serve as a beacon for future performance enhanced devices in a wide range of applications based on Si-NPs including PVs and LED applications.EnglishEfficiency enhancementLaser ablationSilicon nanoparticleSolar cellAblationEfficiencyImage enhancementLaser ablationLightLight emitting diodesLight sourcesLuminescenceNanoparticlesPulsed lasersSiliconSolar cellsSolar power generationUltrafast lasersEfficiency enhancementExternal quantum efficiencyFuture performanceNanosecond pulsed laserPhotoresponsivityPhotovoltaic conversionSilicon nanoparticlesSolar cell efficienciesSilicon solar cellsArticle10.1088/2040-8986/aa84dd2040-8986