Design of multi-layered radiative cooling structures using evolutionary algorithms

Abstract

In this work we present a novel way to design thinfilm radiative cooling metamaterials based on genetic algorithms. Three simulations with different design constraints have been done, resulting in three structures that achieve 39.96 W/m 2 , 57.78 W/m 2 and 61.77 W/m 2 under direct sunlight, respectively. These structures are shorter than 5 µm of height and are composed of 9, 15 and 24 layers. This design method has the advantages of being automatable, needs fewer design experience in metamaterials and does not rely on commercial simulators. This work opens the path to an easy way of automated design of thin-film multi-layered devices for radiative cooling and other applications in the infrared range.