Wide-band solar light perfect absorbers using metal-dielectric layer structures

High efficiency solar light absorbers covering the wideband solar optical radiation spectrum from UV to IR are significant for thermophotovoltaic solar energy systems. In this talk, we will present our recent simulation and experimental works on wideband solar light perfect absorbers in the spectral range from 400nm to 2500nm by using low cost metal-dielectric thin film layer structures. Our designed wide-band solar light absorbers show the feasibility of perfectly absorbing solar radiation in the spectral range from 400nm to 2500 nm. Fabricated devices give near perfect absorption in the wavelength range from 400nm to 1700 nm. The demonstrated perfect light absorption is omni-directional and insensitive to change of angle of incidence up to 80 degrees.