GaAs nano-pillars for solar power absorption: Electromagnetic characterization

The characterization of GaAs nano-pillars in the optical frequency range was investigated using HFSS. Important parameters such as optical material properties were compiled and organized to allow accurate simulation of GaAs nano-pillars to observe total reflection in comparison to flat GaAs pn-junction. This characterization exercise was essential in providing a platform for further investigation of these nano-pillars. It is now possible to utilize these simulations to optimize the critical pillar dimensions such as pillar height, diameter, and spacing by introducing techniques such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to help improve and potentially exceed the efficiency of current GaAs solar cell technology.