Light losses from scattering in luminescent solar concentrator waveguides

Abstract

The reductions in the transmission of emission originating from a fluorophore dissolved in a polymer matrix due to light scattering were compared in two forms of planar waveguides used as luminescent solar concentrators: a thin film of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) spin-coated on a glass plate and a solid PMMA plate of the same dimensions. The losses attributable to light scattering encountered in the waveguide consisting of the thin film of polymer coated on a glass plate were not detectable within experimental uncertainty, whereas the losses in the solid polymer plate were significant. The losses in the solid plate are interpreted as arising from light-scattering centers comprising minute bubbles of vapor/gas, incomplete polymerization or water clusters that are introduced during or after the thermally induced polymerization process.

Self-Absorption Analysis of Perovskite-Based Luminescent Solar Concentrators

“…The EQE of the LSC was attributed to the absorption spectrum of the perovskite NCs and the EQE of the GaAs solar cells, covering the range from 400 to 700 nm. The spectral response beyond 700 nm was due to the scattering effects in the luminescent waveguide [40][41][42]. The integrated Jsc of the LSC was 42.22 A m −2 , consistent with that from the I-V measurement of the LSC (42.19 A m −2 ).…”

Mapping the Surface Heat of Luminescent Solar Concentrators

“…The lower PCE of the LSC compared with the PCE of the GaAs solar cells was due to the low Jsc of the LSC (38.5 A m −2 = 1.54 A/0.04 m 2 ). The EQE of the LSC before 600 nm was due to the absorption of DCJTB, while that after 600 nm was due to the scattering effects in the luminescent waveguide [35][36][37]. The integrated Jsc of the LSC was 38.26 A m −2 .…”

First demonstration of the use of open-shell derivatives as organic luminophores for transparent luminescent solar concentrators

“…Additionally, scattering losses within the host matrix during photon transport and light guiding can also affect the ultimate device performance. 60,61 To investigate this phenomenon more in detail, we evaluated the light transport efficiency in PMMA/PyPBTM LSCs at optimal luminophore concentration (3 wt%, Fig. 7) by recording their single-edge optical output power upon illumination at increasingly larger distances from the collecting edge (details in the Supporting Information).…”