Theoretical and experimental analysis of photonic structures for fluorescent concentrators with increased efficiencies

Abstract

Abstract In this study we present a theoretical and experimental analysis of the application of photonic band stop filters on top of photovoltaic fluorescent concentrators in order to increase the photon collection efficiency. The light guiding effect of the fluorescent concentrator relies on total internal reflection. The escape cone of total internal reflection is their major loss mechanism. Our ray tracing simulation allows to calculate the beneficial effect of photonic band stop reflection filters, which reduce these losses, and to simulate the angular distribution of the light trapped in the concentrator. We present simulations of the optical properties of 1D and 3D photonic structures and how 3D structures are realized with colloidal opals. We also show that the application of a 1D photonic structure increases the efficiency of a real system by 20% relative. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)