Abstract: A method for nanoparticle fabrication deposits a seed layer of a transparent conductive oxide onto a substrate and deposits a layer of a plasmonic metal onto the transparent conductive oxide layer. The method forms nanoparticles from the deposited metal by transporting the substrate along a transport path and, as the substrate is moving, energizing one or more flash lamps disposed along the transport path to apply a plurality of light pulses that impart a dewetting energy to the deposited metal layer.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for solar energy power conversion comprising: a planar array of light concentrators distributed in a pattern; a planar array of PV cells distributed in alignment with the light concentrators; and a spectral converter that extends between the planar array of light concentrators and the planar array of PV cells, wherein the spectral converter is configured to convert incident light of a first spectral distribution from the array of light concentrators to outgoing light of a second spectral distribution for the array of PV cells.

Abstract: An optical coating has a set of layers to reflect a predetermined range of wavelengths, the set of layers including two or more pairs of alternating first and second layers, the first layers having a first refractive index, n1, and the second layers having a second refractive index, n2, greater than the first refractive index n1. The second layers each include a first distribution of nanoparticles of a first material. The layers exhibit a spectral characteristic that shifts a portion of the incident light to a first range of wavelengths and that directs light of the first range of wavelengths to a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) layer. The SERS layer is configured with a second distribution of conductive nanoparticles of a second material to further shift the light of the first range of wavelengths to a second range different from the first range, according to the second distribution of nanoparticles.