Wireless Laser Power Transmission: A Review of Recent Progress

Laser power transmission (LPT) is one of the most promising technologies in the long-range wireless power transfer field. LPT research has been driven by the desire to remotely power unmanned aerial vehicles, satellites, and other mobile electric facilities. However, the low overall efficiency is the main issue that limits the implement of high-intensity laser power beam (HILPB) system. As seen from the contemporary understanding of efficiency of laser power transmission channel, the efficiencies of laser and PV array are the main limiting factors to the HILPB system from the perspective of power conversion. Thus, a comprehensive overview of LPT technology is presented from the point of efficiency optimization view in this paper. First, the basic principles of laser power transmission are briefly summarized. Then, a survey of the efficiency optimization methods for HILPB system with regard to the laser and PV technologies is provided in detail. Additionally, the open issues and challenges in implementing the LPT technology are discussed.