Open AccessA tapered dielectric waveguide solar concentrator for a compound semiconductor photovoltaic cell
Author(s) -
Minkyu Park,
Kyunghwan Oh,
Jeong Kim,
Hyun Woo Shin,
Byung Du Oh
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.18.001777
Subject(s) - materials science , optics , optoelectronics , concentrator , waveguide , photovoltaic system , dielectric , solar cell , acceptance angle , photocurrent , optical fiber , semiconductor , solar mirror , solar energy , theory of solar cells , solar cell efficiency , photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector , physics , electrical engineering , engineering
A novel tapered dielectric waveguide solar concentrator is proposed for compound semiconductor solar cells utilizing optical fiber preform. Its light collecting capability is numerically simulated and experimentally demonstrated for feasibility and potential assessments. Utilizing tapered shape of an optical fiber preform with a step-index profile, low loss guidance was enhanced and the limitation in the acceptance angle of solar radiation was alleviated by an order of magnitude. Using a solar simulator the device performances were experimentally investigated and discussed in terms of the photocurrent improvements. Total acceptance angle exceeding +/- 6 degrees was experimentally achieved sustaining a high solar flux.