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PUBLICATIONS

Method to determine the absorbance of thin films for photovoltaic technology

Published

Author(s)

Nathan A. Tomlin, John H. Lehman, Katherine E. Hurst, D. B. Tanner, K. Kamaras, Aron Pekker

Abstract

We have demonstrated a novel method to determine optical properties of opaque or semi-transparent films for photovoltaic (PV) applications. Such films may be the basis of transparent conductors or photoconductive material. As an example, we measure the absolute absorptance (at visible and near infrared wavelengths) of an optically thick single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) film by using a pyroelectric detector. This novel method obviates the need for analysis with respect to polarization and associated difficulties of ellipsometry. The Kramers-Kronig relation is used to determine the thick film index of refraction, which we use to calculate the optical properties of thin films as a function of thickness. A transmittance measurement obtained a from a thin SWCNT films show excellent agreement with results from our model.
Proceedings Title
Proceeding of the 2010 IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
Conference Dates
June 20-25, 2010
Conference Location
Waikiki, HI
Conference Title
2010 IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
Pub Type
Conferences

Keywords

absorbance, Kramers-Kronig, photovoltaic, thin film
Energy efficiency

Citation

Tomlin, N. , Lehman, J. , Hurst, K. , Tanner, D. , Kamaras, K. and Pekker, A. (2010), Method to determine the absorbance of thin films for photovoltaic technology, Proceeding of the 2010 IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, Waikiki, HI (Accessed October 14, 2025)

Issues

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Created June 20, 2010, Updated February 19, 2017
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