Simulation-based study on light absorption enhancement in Silicon thin films via nanoparticles

Solar energy is one of the most promising and widely adopted renewable energy sources due to its abundance and sustainability. In recent decades, significant progress has been made in developing photovoltaic (PV) cells with enhanced efficiency using a variety of materials and device architectures. While many next-generation PV technologies are still under development, silicon-based solar cells remain dominant due to their maturity, stability, and cost-effectiveness. This study investigates a simulation-based approach to enhance the optical absorption of silicon thin films by incorporating nanoparticles. The primary goal is to improve absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region, where silicon typically exhibits limited efficiency. The optical properties of the films are modeled using modified Maxwell–Garnett-Mie theory, based on the effective medium approximation (EMA), which describes the macroscopic attributes of the nanoparticle–integrated composites. We explore different types of nanoparticles, volume fractions, and material combinations to analyze their impact on light absorption. Numerical simulations are carried out to evaluate the absorption spectra of these nanocomposites with silicon thin film as the host matrix. The results demonstrate the potential of nanoparticle-enhanced films to improve light trapping and absorption, offering a viable route toward more efficient silicon-based solar cells.