Bow-tie nano-array rectenna: Design and optimization

In this paper, a study is conducted into nanogap-based, bowtie nano-array for solar energy collection, with the aim of optimizing its geometrical parameters utilizing Finite Element Method (FEM) based simulations. The optimization parameters include the metal thickness and the gap size, where it is found that the optimal metal thickness is 95 nm. The proposed optimized bowtie nano-array has been integrated with a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) diode to construct a rectenna for solar radiation rectification at 37.5 μm wavelength. The characteristics of the MIM diode have been analyzed and discussed. Finally, the effect of the incident angle on the rectenna performance has been investigated.