SPECTRUM MANIPULATION DEVICE AND METHOD

摘要

A spectrum manipulation device and method for increasing an energy conversion efficiency of a photovoltaic cell arrangement, the device including: (a) a black body adapted to absorb an input electromagnetic energy having an input energy flux spectrum, and to emit a first output electromagnetic energy having a different, output energy flux spectrum; (b) a transparent cover, adapted to thermally insulate the black body from an ambient environment, and to receive light and direct the light towards the black body; (c) an optical device, facing the black body, and adapted to: (i) receive the first output energy and emit a second output electromagnetic energy having a narrow, modified energy flux spectrum, with respect to the output energy flux spectrum, and (ii) recycle some of the first output electromagnetic energy to the black body; (d) a photovoltaic cell having a photon absorption surface, disposed to be in optical communication with the optical device, and (e) a housing containing the black body and the optical device, and adapted to thermally insulate the black body and to fix a position of the black body with respect to the optical device, the optical device further adapted to direct the second output energy towards the photon absorption surface.

主权项

1. A spectrum manipulation device for increasing an energy conversion efficiency of a photovoltaic cell arrangement, the device comprising:
(a) a black body adapted to absorb an input electromagnetic energy having an input energy flux spectrum, and to emit a first output electromagnetic energy having a different, output energy flux spectrum, said black body behaving as a solid at a temperature of up to at least 1200K; (b) a solid, at least partially transparent cover, facing a first side of said black body, said cover adapted to thermally insulate said black body from an ambient environment, and to receive light and direct said light towards said black body; (c) an optical filter arrangement, facing a second side of said black body, and adapted to: (i) receive said first output energy and emit a second output electromagnetic energy having a narrow, modified energy flux spectrum, with respect to said output energy flux spectrum of said black body, and (ii) recycle at least a portion of said first output electromagnetic energy to said black body; (d) at least one photovoltaic cell having a photon absorption surface, said surface disposed to be in optical communication with said optical filter arrangement, and (e) a housing containing at least said black body and said optical filter arrangement, said housing adapted to thermally insulate said black body and to fix a position of said black body with respect to said optical filter arrangement, and wherein said optical filter arrangement is further adapted to direct said second output energy having said modified spectrum towards said photon absorption surface.