Rectenna Solar Cells

Rectenna Solar Cells discusses antenna-coupled diode solar cells, an emerging technology that has the potential to provide ultra-high efficiency, low-cost solar energy conversion. This book will provide an overview of solar rectennas, and provide thorough descriptions of the two main components: the diode, and the optical antenna. The editors discuss the science, design, modeling, and manufacturing of the antennas coupled with the diodes. The book will provide concepts to understanding the challenges, fabrication technologies, and materials required to develop rectenna structures. Written by experts in their specialized fields. Front Matter....Pages i-vi Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Will Rectenna Solar Cells Be Practical?....Pages 3-24 Optical Frequency Rectification....Pages 25-46 Efficiency Limits for Solar Spectrum Rectification....Pages 47-67 Solar and Thermal Aperture Antenna Coherence Performance Limits....Pages 69-86 Front Matter....Pages 87-87 Metal Single-Insulator and Multi-Insulator Diodes for Rectenna Solar Cells....Pages 89-109 Impact of Electrode Roughness on Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) Diodes and Step Tunneling in Nanolaminate Tunnel Barrier Metal-Insulator-Insulator-Metal (MIIM) Diodes....Pages 111-134 Nanoscale Rectennas with Sharp Tips for Absorption and Rectification of Optical Radiation....Pages 135-161 A Mid-IR Antenna Integrated with a Geometrically Asymmetrical Metal-Insulator-Metal Rectifying Diode....Pages 163-188 Investigation of the Infrared Radiation Detection Mechanism for Antenna-Coupled Metal-(Oxide)-Metal Structures....Pages 189-208 Geometric Diodes for Optical Rectennas....Pages 209-227 Front Matter....Pages 229-229 Overview of Nanoantennas for Solar Rectennas....Pages 231-256 On the Solar Energy Harvesting Efficiency of Nano-antennas....Pages 257-276 Optical Antennas and Enhanced Nonlinear Effects....Pages 277-294 Front Matter....Pages 295-295 Large-Area Fabrication of Antennas and Nanodiodes....Pages 297-311 Point-Contact Metal-Insulator-Metal Architecture: A Facile Approach for Material Screening Studies and Beyond....Pages 313-336 Techniques for Roll-to-Roll Manufacturing of Flexible Rectenna Solar Cells....Pages 337-369 Thermophotovoltaics: An Alternative to and Potential Partner with Rectenna Energy Harvesters....Pages 371-390 Back Matter....Pages 391-399