Resonant absorption for multilayer quantum well and quantum dot solar cells

Epitaxially grown quantum well and dot solar cells suffer from weak light absorption, strongly limiting their performance. Light trapping based on optical resonances is particularly relevant for such devices to increase absorption thereby current generation. Compared homogeneous media, the position of layers within device an additional parameter that can influence resonant absorption. However, this effect has so far received little attention photovoltaic community. We develop a theoretical framework evaluate optimize in thin slab with multiple layers. Using numerical simulations, we show make difference between strong enhancement completely suppressed optimal leads two times larger than average. confirm these results experimentally by measuring photoluminescence spectra InAs/GaAs samples. Overall, work provides degree freedom substantially improve encouraging development wells dots-based as intermediate-band cells.