Fundamentals of Thermophotovoltaic Energy Conversion

This is a text book presenting the foundations of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion suitable for an upper undergraduate or first year graduate course. In addition, it can serve as a reference or design aid for developing TPV systems. Mathematica design programs for interference and filters TPV system are included on a CD-Rom disk. Each chapter includes a summary of problems.

The first chapter presents the electromagnetic theory and radiation. TPV optical cavity. Using a simplified model, Chapter 2 develops the ideal TPV system. The next three chapters are the TPV system; the emitter, filter and photovoltaic (PV) array. Chapter 3 applies the spectral emittance. From the spectral emittance the emitter efficiency is calculated. Chapter 4 discusses interference, plasma and resonant array filters with an imbedded metallic layer; The theory is necessary to calculate the optical properties of these filters. Chapter 5 presents the fundamentals of semiconductor PV cells. Using transport equations for the PV-cell is carried out. Quantum efficiency, spectral response for a PV cell.

The final three chapters of the TPV system. Chapter 6 applies radiation transfer theory to calculate the cavity of planar and cylindrical optical cavities. Also introduced in Chapter 6 are the overall TPV efficiency, thermal efficiency and PV efficiency. Leakage of radiation out of the optical cavity in a significant loss in TPV efficiency. Chapter 7 medicines that topic. The final chapter presents a model for a planar TPV system.

Six appendices present background. Two of the appendices include the Mathematica program for the spectral optical properties of the multi-layer interference filters and the planar TPV system. These programs are contained on CD-Rom disk included with the book.

· First text written on thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion
· Include all the necessary theory to calculate TPV performance system
· Author has been doing TPV energy conversion research since 1980's
· Emphasizes the fundamentals of TPV energy conversion
· Includes a summary and problem set at the end of each chapter
· TPV performance system included on CD-Rom

Author's Information
acknowledgments
Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Maximum Efficiency and Power Density for TPV Energy Conversion
Chapter 3. Emitter Performances
Chapter 4. Optical Filters for Thermophotovoltaics
Chapter 5. Photovoltaic Cells
Chapter 6. Governing Equations for Radiation Fluxes in Optical Cavity
Chapter 7. Radiation Losses in Optical Cavity
Chapter 8. TPV Performance System
Appendices
index