Anti-reflective and optical transparent coatings fabricated by a computer-controlled system

Abstract In this study, an antireflection (AR) coating based on SiO 2 was controllably deposited using a computer-programmed CNC system and evaluated for its performance. A unique, automated high-precision technique was employed for AR layer deposition. Transmission and reflectance measurements were conducted using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer, while the photocatalytic performance of the AR layers was assessed using a methylene blue dye solution under UV illumination. The AR-coated glass was mounted on a monocrystalline silicon solar cell, and the I-V and P-V characteristic curves were obtained. The best-performing AR-coated solar cell exhibited an open-circuit voltage (V oc ) of 0.61 V and a short-circuit current density (I sc ) of 41.6 mA/cm 2 , resulting in a 2% increase in efficiency compared to the uncoated device. The CNC-controlled deposition process enabled precise tuning of parameters such as immersion speed, withdrawal speed, dwell time, and alignment, ensuring uniform coatings and enhanced optical performance. Field tests confirmed the low reflectance and improved efficiency of AR-coated solar panels. These findings highlight the potential of SiO 2 -based AR coatings for enhancing solar cell performance while maintaining mechanical stability.