The thermal gradient across a thermoelectric device is the key to convert heat energy into electricity. Here, we propose a metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) that increases the thermal gradient across a thermoelectric device by local heat generation through absorbing thermal radiation emitted from an infinite-size blackbody radiator. The MPA, when attached on top of a bismuth telluride thermoelectric device, generates local heat that propagates to the device, resulting in an additional thermal gradient. The amount of local heat generated at the MPA and the output power of the thermoelectric device loaded with the MPA are examined through numerical calculations.

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Light absorption and device performance of organic solar cells with metamaterial perfect absorbers are examined, and their correlation is elucidated. The solar cells exhibit enhanced light absorption as well as device performance in the longer wavelength range. In the shorter wavelength range, the absorption is increased; however, the device performance is deteriorated. Precise nanofabrication and numerical calculations reveal the correlation between the improved light absorption and the device performance, which can be explained by the positions of the field localizations. In the longer wavelength range, the metamaterial perfect absorber confines light into the active layer, whereas in the shorter wavelength range, the field is localized outside the active layer.

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