Design and optimization of one-dimensional photonic crystals for thermophotovoltaic applications

Abstract

We explore the optical characteristics and fundamental limitations of one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystal (PhC) structures as means for improving the efficiency and power density of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) and microthermophotovoltaic (MTPV) devices. We analyze the optical performance of 1D PhCs with respect to photovoltaic diode efficiency and power density. Furthermore, we present an optimized dielectric stack design that exhibits a significantly wider stop band and yields better TPV system efficiency than a simple quarter-wave stack. The analysis is done for both TPV and MTPV devices by use of a unified modeling framework.

One–dimensional TiO2/SiO2 photonic crystal filter for thermophotovoltaic applications

“…Fortunately, the system performance can be significantly improved using a selective filter, which reflects below band-gap photons back to the radiator for re-radiation and transmits above band-gap photons to the cells. One dimensional (1D) Si/SiO 2 photonic crystals (PhCs) [4][5][6] were reported to be promising candidates for these kind of filters.…”

“…They presented high efficiency and power throughput [12]. 1D metallic-dielectric photonic crystals (1D-MDPCs) of (Ag/SiO 2 ) were also designed [5] and studied [3]. O'Sullivan et al [4] proposed and designed a 10-layer quarter-wave periodic structure (Si/ SiO2) with thicknesses of 170 and 390 nm and suggested to reduce the first layer thickness to one half of its original thickness for better performances.…”

Optimized aperiodic broadband visible absorbers

“…These devices are less than 10% efficient [1,2] due to the fact that most of the applied power is radiated as infrared radiation and not as visible light. There has been much recent work in an attempt to improve the efficiency of household and commercial lighting.…”

“…In this paper, we design aperiodic broadband thermal emitters in the visible wavelength range, composed of alternating layers of tungsten and air or tungsten and silicon carbide above a semi-infinite tungsten substrate, for use as lightbulb filaments [1,3,4]. We use a hybrid optimization method, consisting of a micro-genetic global optimization algorithm coupled to a local optimization algorithm, to maximize the power emitted by the structures in the visible.…”

THz thermal radiation enhancement using electromagnetic crystals

“…This phenomenon has been explored both theoretically and experimentally [14]- [17]. For example, both passive experiments using one-dimensional or three-dimensional EM crystals as filters [18], [19], and active experiments using EM crystals directly as a radiation source [17], [20], have been reported. Possible interpretations of the underlying physics of the thermal radiation enhancement, and direct calculations based on these interpretations [16], [17], [21]- [23] have been reported.…”