Enabling ideal selective solar absorption with 2D metallic dielectric photonic crystals.

Chou, Jeffrey B; Yeng, Yi Xiang; Lee, Yoonkyung E; Lenert, Andrej; Rinnerbauer, Veronika; Celanovic, Ivan; Soljačić, Marin; Fang, Nicholas X et al. · Adv Mater · 2014

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A metallic dielectric photonic crystal with solar broadband, omni-directional, and tunable selective absorption with high temperature stable (1000 °C, 24 hrs) properties is fabricated on a 6" silicon wafer. The broadband absorption is due to a high density of optical cavity modes overlapped with an anti-reflection coating. Results allow for large-scale, low cost, and efficient solar-thermal energy conversion.