Black silicon: A new light absorber for solar cells and photodetectors

Presentation Date: 

Thursday, October 1, 1998

Location: 

OSA Annual Meeting (Baltimore, MD)
We demonstrate a new light absorber for solar cells and optical detection devices. Micron-sized spikes generated by irradiating a silicon surface with femtosecond laser pulses in SF6 enhance light absorption in silicon to near 100%. We observe an increase of more than 60% in photocurrent compared to a flat silicon surface.