Donnelly, Justin L.Sturmberg, Bjorn C. P.Dossou, Kokou BBotten, LindsayAsatryan, Ara APoulton, ChristopherMcPhedran, Rossde Sterke, C Martijn2016-06-141094-4087http://hdl.handle.net/1885/103472We investigate the optical properties of silicon nanohole arrays for application in photovoltaic cells in terms of the modes within the structure. We highlight three types of modes: fundamental modes, important at long wavelengths; guided resonance modes, which enhance absorption for wavelengths where the intrinsic absorption of silicon is low; and channeling modes, which suppress front-surface reflection. We use this understanding to explain why the parameters of optimized nanohole arrays occur in specific ranges even as the thickness is varied.Author/s retain copyright201410.1364/OE.22.0A13432016-06-14