Angle dependent photon management in thin film photovoltaics using anodized aluminum oxide

Optical backscattering by anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) thin films has been experimentally shown to change significantly with the angle of incident light. We investigate the scattering physics of self-assembled nanoporous dielectric AAO structures and propose applying them to improve performance in thin film and semitransparent photovoltaics (PVs). Pairing AAO scatterers with thin absorbing layers can improve absorption via the scattered field component and enable angle-selective light management for new functionality. Numerical models show that incident light can be backscattered to extreme, near-horizontal angles, coupling to horizontally propagating modes and greatly improving optical path length and absorption in thin PV films.