Thermal radiation control by photonic crystals and their application

Abstract

Thermal emission control based on material absorption and photonic resonance is demonstrated. Narrowband thermal emitters in the mid-infrared range are realized using intersub-band transitions and photonic crystals, which show 12 times higher peak power compared to the blackbody reference under the same input power conditions. Near-infrared wavelength selective emitters are realized using Si-based rod-type photonic crystals, and a thermophotovoltaic system comprised of a Si thermal emitter and InGaAs photovoltaic cells is demonstrated. A high heat to electricity conversion efficiency of 11.2 % is obtained, which is 1.65 times higher than the previously reported record value (6.8 %).