  Scattering from metal nanoparticles near their localized plasmon resonance;
especially, the resonances of noble metals which are mostly in the visible or
infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum; is a way of improving light
absorption in thin-film solar cells. The surface plasmon resonance can be
affected by different factors such as the type, size, shape, and dielectric
properties of the surrounding medium. Here we investigate, using the Finite
Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method, how different shapes of aluminum
nanoparticles affect absorption enhancement in silicon thin-film solar cells.
Our results show that using these particles more than 30% conversion efficiency
for plasmonic solar cells can be achieved compared to a cell without particles.
We have also found that although the spherical particles have the highest
absorption peak, optimization of some parameters such as the height of the
cylinder or disk-shaped particles and their distance from the substrate can
increase the absorption. The results can provide more information and insight
to understand and optimize plasmonic particles for solar cell applications.
