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Reactive self-tracking solar concentrators: concept, design, and initial materials characterization |
Applied Optics, Vol. 51, Issue 8, pp. 1086-1094 (2012)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.51.001086
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Abstract
Étendue limits angular acceptance of high-concentration photovoltaic systems and imposes precise two-axis mechanical tracking. We show how a planar micro-optic solar concentrator incorporating a waveguide cladding with a nonlinear optical response to sunlight can reduce mechanical tracking requirements. Optical system designs quantify the required response: a large, slow, and localized increase in index of refraction. We describe one candidate materials system: a suspension of high-index particles in a low-index fluid combined with a localized space-charge field to increase particle density and average index. Preliminary experiments demonstrate an index change of aqueous polystyrene nanoparticles in response to a low voltage signal and imply larger responses with optimized nanofluidic materials.
© 2012 Optical Society of America
OCIS Codes
(220.1770) Optical design and fabrication : Concentrators
(350.6050) Other areas of optics : Solar energy
(160.4236) Materials : Nanomaterials
ToC Category:
Optical Design and Fabrication
History
Original Manuscript: September 28, 2011
Manuscript Accepted: November 1, 2011
Published: March 6, 2012
Citation
Katherine A. Baker, Jason H. Karp, Eric J. Tremblay, Justin M. Hallas, and Joseph E. Ford, "Reactive self-tracking solar concentrators: concept, design, and initial materials characterization," Appl. Opt. 51, 1086-1094 (2012)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ao/abstract.cfm?URI=ao-51-8-1086
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