Metal-dielectric thin film structure for solar light energy harvesting
AssigneeBoard of Trustees of the University of Alabama, for and on behalf of the University of Alabama in Huntsville
InventorsJunpeng Guo, Jinnan Chen
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Abstract
A nanostructure is provided for converting solar energy into thermal energy. The nanostructure can include a metal layer and an anti-reflective layer on the metal layer. The anti-reflective layer is positioned such that sunlight passes through the anti-reflective layer and absorbed by the metal layer, thereby resulting in an equilibrium temperature for the dielectric and metal layer system above 400 Kelvin (K). The metal layer can have a thickness of at least 100 nanometers (nm) to prohibit light transmission through the layer and the anti-reflective layer can be composed of a dielectric material and can have a thickness between 20 nm and 200 nm.
Claims17
A nanostructure for converting solar energy into thermal energy, comprising:
- an opaque metal layer having a thickness of at least 100 nanometers (nm);
- and
- an anti-reflective coating formed directly on the first metal layer and positioned such that sunlight enters the nanostructure through the anti-reflective coating and is absorbed by the opaque metal layer after passing through the anti-reflective coating, thereby increasing a temperature of the nanostructure above 400 Kelvin, the anti-reflective coating composed of a dielectric material and having a thickness less than 200 nm.
A system for converting solar energy into thermal energy, the system comprising:
- a substrate;
- an opaque metal layer formed on the substrate, the opaque metal layer having a thickness of at least 100 nanometers (nm);
- and
- an anti-reflective layer formed directly on the opaque metal layer, the anti-reflective layer composed of a dielectric material and having a thickness less than 200 nm, the anti-reflective layer being positioned to permit solar energy to enter the system through the anti-reflective layer and be absorbed by the opaque metal layer after passing through the anti-reflective layer such that the opaque metal layer reaches an equilibrium temperature above 400 Kelvin (K).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.