Silicon photovoltaic cells coupled with solar-pumped fiber lasers emitting at 1064 nm

Abstract

We have designed silicon (Si) photovoltaic (PV) cells coupled with solar-pumped fiber lasers (SPFLs), by considering the unique illumination conditions for PV cells: (1) monochromatic (1064 nm) and normal incidence, (2) large intensity, and (3) small area. We have revealed that a multilayered bandpass filter formed on the front surface of a PV cell equipped with a diffuse reflector on the back surface sufficiently traps the illumination. This, in turn, allows us to use a thin Si wafer to eliminate the detrimental effect of the series resistance in the cell under intense illumination, along with a small lateral size that is suitable for direct connection with an SPFL. Simulated conversion efficiency of the newly designed 20 μm-thick Si PV cell with the 14-layerd bandpass filter and Lambertian back reflector is 61% under normally incident 1064 nm illumination at 1 kW/cm2, which is twice as high as that of a conventional surface-textured Si solar cell of 75 μm in thickness.

A fully planar solar pumped laser based on a luminescent solar collector

“…olar-pumped lasers (SPLs), which convert sunlight into laser radiation, are of interest for applications, such as solar hydrogen generation, remote area telecommunications, space propulsion, space solar power systems, and high-efficiency photovoltaic energy conversion [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] . In addition, SPLs could play a critical role in a more sustainable magnesium energy cycle, reconverting magnesium oxide to magnesium 2,9,10 .…”

Highly Efficient Solar Laser Pumping Using a Solar Concentrator Combining a Fresnel Lens and Modified Parabolic Mirror

“…The use of these lasers facilitates greater solar energy utilization and has attracted the attention of researchers in the fields of renewable energy and laser technology. Many potential opportunities for SPL use in solar hydrogen generation [1][2][3] and space laser [4][5][6] applications have been predicted.…”

Suppression of lowering in conversion efficiency under temperature variation for multijunction laser power converters

“…Another benefit of the front ASF is suppression of emission from the 5J cell to the outside, which is contrasting to that the ARC/DR increases the emission. 23,29) As a result of these three effects, η further improves compared to that of the ARC/DR at any T cell .…”

“…Thus, a further thinner d total is feasible, which further improves η. [21][22][23] In these cases, the light-intensity distribution is approximately uniform because of multiple reflection between the front ARC or ASF and rear DR, 24) and scarcely changes even though α changes because of T cell variation. Therefore, the current matching holds, and consequently the notable lowering in η is suppressed.…”