Investigation of solid state Nd : yag laser texturing on polyimide substrate using spot overlap for efficient photovoltaic device applications

Abstract

This dissertation presents study of texturing of polyimide used as substrate of flexible solar cell by using nanosecond Nd: YAG laser. Irradiation of intense nanosecond laser pulse at various experimental parameters alters surface morphology of polyimide. Laser induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS) was observed and its mechanism also elaborated. Variation of optical, structural properties with respect to variation of experimental parameter is investigated. It is observed that Laser texturing of polyimide changes optical properties drastically. Textured polyimide substrate can be used as a substrate of thin film solar cell to enhance light trapping which leads to improvement in efficiency.