Phase space considerations for light path lengths in planar, isotropic absorbers

Fundamental limits for path lengths of light in isotropic absorbers are calculated. The method of calculation is based on accounting for occupied states in optical phase space. Light trapping techniques, such as scattering or diffraction, are represented by the way how the available states are occupied. One finding of the presented investigation is that the path length limit is independent of the light trapping mechanism and only depends on the conditions for light incidence to, and escape from the absorber. A further finding is that the maximum path length is obtained for every light trapping mechanisms which results in a complete filling of the available states in phase space. For stationary solar cells, the Yablonovitch limit of 4dn², with n the refractive index of the absorber, is a very good approximation of this limit.