Optical confinement in thin-film crystalline silicon solar cells by adhesive bonding of ceramic substrate

Thin film (5-μm-thick) silicon solar cells by adhesive bonding of a near-Lambertian Al₂O₃ ceramic substrate have been fabricated, and the electrical and optical performance of the cells have been investigated. This cell structure shows a good optical confinement effect. From quantum efficiency measurements, it is found that a short circuit current that is as high as that of water-based cells can be obtained by reducing the surface reflectance. Cell and module fabrication processes can be simplified using this technique.