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arXiv · 1408.6304

Seebeck Nanoantennas for Solar Energy Harvesting

E. Briones·J. Briones·A. Cuadrado·J. C. Martinez-Anton·S. McMurtry·M. Hehn·F. Montaigne·J. Alda·F. J. Gonzalez
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Abstract

We propose a mid-infrared device based on thermocouple optical antennas for light sensing and energy harvesting applications. We numerically demonstrate that antennas are able to generate low-power dc signals by beneficing of the thermoelectric properties of the metals that constitute them. We theoretically evaluate the optical-to-electrical conversion efficiency for harvesting applications and finally discuss strategies to increase its performance. Thermocouple optical antennas therefore open the route toward the design of photovoltaic devices.

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E. Briones, J. Briones, A. Cuadrado, J. C. Martinez-Anton, S. McMurtry, M. Hehn, F. Montaigne, J. Alda, F. J. Gonzalez. 2014-08-27. Seebeck Nanoantennas for Solar Energy Harvesting. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4895028

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