One-dimensional metallic-dielectric (Ag/SiO2) photonic crystals filter for thermophotovoltaic applications

In this article, the performance of one dimensional metallic-dielectric photonic crystals (1D MDPCs) filter for improving the performance of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems is studied. The reflectance and absorbance of Ag/SiO2 filters are calculated using the transfer matrix method. The spectral efficiencies and the above-bandgap transmissions of the filters are calculated for different choices of number of periods and layer thicknesses. Furthermore, an optimized stack design that exhibits better spectral efficiencies and better above-bandgap transmission is presented.

► 1D Ag/SiO2 filters for TPV systems are studied. ► (MD)N structure and (D/2)(MD)N(D/2) structure are suggested for the filters. ► The reflectance and absorbance are calculated using the transfer matrix method. ► The spectral efficiency reaches value of 66.5%. ► The above bandgap transmission reaches 78% but with spectral efficiency of 55%.