Light absorption mechanism in single c-Si (core)/a-Si (shell) coaxial nanowires.

We have carried out detailed investigations on the light absorption mechanism in single crystalline silicon (c-Si) (core)/amorphous Si (a-Si) (shell) coaxial nanowires (NWs). Based on the Lorenz-Mie light scattering theory, we have found that the light absorption in the coaxial NWs relies on the leaky mode resonances and that the light absorption can be optimized towards photovoltaic applications when the a-Si shell thickness is about twice the c-Si core radius. The photocurrent has been found to be enhanced up to ∼ 560% compared to c-Si NWs, and to be further enhanced up to ∼ 60% by coating the nonabsorbing dielectric shells.