Optimizing materials for photon-enhanced thermionic emission

ORAL

Abstract

We recently described a novel process for solar energy harvesting called photon-enhanced thermionic emission (PETE) based on a semiconductor cathode and a low-workfunction anode separated by a vacuum gap. Previous work explored the limiting theoretical efficiency of a PETE device, which was shown to exceed the Shockley-Queisser limit on single-junction photovoltaic cells, and described experiments that showed strong evidence the PETE effect. In this presentation, I will describe challenges for making the PETE process efficient, some of which were encountered in these proof-of-concept measurements. I will also describe experimental paths to overcoming these challenges and improving efficiency.

–

Authors

  • Jared Schwede

    • Stanford University

  • Daniel Riley

    • Stanford University

  • Igor Bargatin

    • Stanford University

  • Samuel Rosenthal

    • Stanford University

  • Roger Howe

    • Stanford University

  • Nicholas Melosh

    • Stanford University

  • Zhi-Xun Shen

    • Stanford University