Abstract: A photovoltaic module for converting laser radiation from a laser emitting light at a wavelength to electrical power is provided. The module comprises: (a) a housing having a cavity of generally optimized closed shape inside the housing, the cavity having an internal surface area As and including an opening for admitting the laser radiation into the cavity, the opening having an entrance aperture area Ai that is substantially smaller than As; and (b) a plurality of photovoltaic cells within the cavity, the photovoltaic cells having an energy bandgap to respond to the wavelength and generate the electrical power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module for converting laser radiation from a laser emitting light at a wavelength to electrical power is provided. The module comprises: (a) a housing having a cavity of generally optimized closed shape inside the housing, the cavity having an internal surface area As and including an opening for admitting the laser radiation into the cavity, the opening having an entrance aperture area Ai that is substantially smaller than As; and (b) a plurality of photovoltaic cells within the cavity, the photovoltaic cells having an energy bandgap to respond to the wavelength and generate the electrical power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module for converting laser radiation from a laser emitting light at a wavelength to electrical power is provided. The module comprises: (a) a housing having a cavity of generally optimized closed shape inside the housing, the cavity having an internal surface area As and including an opening for admitting the laser radiation into the cavity, the opening having an entrance aperture area Ai that is substantially smaller than As; and (b) a plurality of photovoltaic cells within the cavity, the photovoltaic cells having an energy bandgap to respond to the wavelength and generate the electrical power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module for converting laser radiation from a laser emitting light at a wavelength to electrical power is provided. The module comprises: (a) a housing having a cavity of generally optimized closed shape inside the housing, the cavity having an internal surface area As and including an opening for admitting the laser radiation into the cavity, the opening having an entrance aperture area Ai that is substantially smaller than As; and (b) a plurality of photovoltaic cells within the cavity, the photovoltaic cells having an energy bandgap to respond to the wavelength and generate the electrical power.

Abstract: A concentrating photovoltaic module is provided which provides a concentration in the range of about 500 to over 1,000 suns and a power range of a few kW to 50 kW. A plurality of such modules may be combined to form a power plant capable of generating over several hundred megaWatts. The concentrating photovoltaic module is based on a Photovoltaic Cavity Converter (PVCC) as an enabling technology for very high solar-to-electricity conversions. The use of a cavity containing a plurality of single junction solar cells of different energy bandgaps and simultaneous spectral splitting of the solar spectrum employs a lateral geometry in the spherical cavity (where the cell strings made of the single junction cells operate next to each other without mutual interference). The purpose of the cavity with a small aperture for the pre-focused solar radiation is to confine (trap) the photons so that they can be recycled effectively and used by the proper cells.

Abstract: A concentrating photovoltaic module is provided which provides a concentration in the range of about 500 to over 1,000 suns and a power range of a few kW to 50 kW. A plurality of such modules may be combined to form a power plant capable of generating over several hundred megawatts. The concentrating photovoltaic module is based on a Photovoltaic Cavity Converter (PVCC) as an enabling technology for very high solar-to-electricity conversions. The use of a cavity containing a plurality of single junction solar cells of different energy bandgaps and simultaneous spectral splitting of the solar spectrum employs a lateral geometry in the spherical cavity (where the cell strings made of the single junction cells operate next to each other without mutual interference). The purpose of the cavity with a small aperture for the pre-focused solar radiation is to confine (trap) the photons so that they can be recycled effectively and used by the proper cells.

Abstract: A solar concentrator is provided that comprises two stages. The first stage comprises either a trough-shaped concentrator cusp unit having two major opposed sides joined by two ends. The inner surfaces of the first stage concentrator are mirrored. Further, the ends have two flat, angled surfaces, while the two sides have a Bezier-generated cylindrical shape that approximate parabolic surfaces followed by a straight section. The second stage comprises a bi-axial gradient refractive index (GRIN) element, in which two gradient refractive index materials, each having a high index surface and a low index surface, are joined together along their high index surfaces. The two ends of the bi-axial element are flat, while the two sides also have a Bezier-generated cylindrical shape that approximate parabolic surfaces followed by a straight section. The top surface of the bi-axial element is provided with a cylindrical surface, while the bottom, or exit, surface is ground flat.

Abstract: A solar concentrator is provided that comprises two stages. The first stage comprises either a trough-shaped concentrator cusp unit having two major opposed sides joined by two ends. The inner surfaces of the first stage concentrator are mirrored. Further, the ends have two flat, angled surfaces, while the two sides have a Bezier-generated cylindrical shape that approximate parabolic surfaces followed by a straight section. The second stage comprises a bi-axial gradient refractive index (GRIN) element, in which two gradient refractive index materials, each having a high index surface and a low index surface, are joined together along their high index surfaces. The two ends of the bi-axial element are flat, while the two sides also have a Bezier-generated cylindrical shape that approximate parabolic surfaces followed by a straight section. The top surface of the bi-axial element is provided with a cylindrical surface, while the bottom, or exit, surface is ground flat.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for depositing a polymeric element having a gradient in index of refraction that traverses the element from one surface to an opposite surface (axially graded refractive index). Two (or more) monomers are mixed in varying proportions and spray-deposited onto a substrate to form a layer. Each layer is then exposed to light to form a polymeric layer, and another layer deposited. Where the light is UV radiation and a light-sensitive catalyst that is also sensitive to the ambient atmosphere is used, then an inert gas dispenser, which provides an inert gas over the monomer layer, may be employed in conjunction with the UV radiation. Several layers are thus spray-deposited and exposed to light, each layer comprising a different mix of the two monomers, thereby providing each layer with a different index of refraction.

Abstract: A laminate includes bifacial solar cells that can receive and convert sunlight incident from either side. The laminate is held in a frame by high tensile cords that are strung like the cords in a tennis racket. The resulting assembly receives direct sunlight from one side and light reflected through albedo through the other side.

Abstract: A superconductor has been disclosed which is formed of high temperature superconducting ceramic oxide particles distributed in a metal superconductor. In another embodiment, the superconducting particles are distributed in a dielectric matrix.

Abstract: There has been provided a concentrating solar receiver of the type including a closed envelope having a window and reflective portions. A photocell is disposed at a focal zone for the reflector. Heat and/or electricity may be produced from received solar energy and the envelope is manufactured in the configuration of a specially formed bulb preferably having a thin wall glass structure.

Abstract: A solar energy collector structure has been provided which comprises a plurality of at least partially evacuated tubular members arranged in a group and closely packed in parallel axial alignment. The tubular members are joined together to form a tube sheet. A pair of such tube sheets are placed in tandem with a pair of opposite margins thereof being sealed, one to the other, to form a flow channel therebetween. An absorber, disposed between the tube sheets, in the flow channel, intercepts and absorbs solar energy, which by heat transfer is carried off by a working fluid in the heat exchange relation with the absorber surface.

Abstract: An antireflective layer is formed on a surface of a body of phase separable glass by heat treating the glass to cause it to become separated into at least two distinct phases of different solubility. A surface of the body is subjected to a leaching solution which preferentially leaches at least the most soluble phase, leaving a surface layer consisting of a skeletal structure that comprises the least soluble phase. The leaching solution preferaby contains an acid which etches the skeletal structure which becomes so modified that the film exhibits an effective refractive index gradient thereacross, the film therefor exhibiting antireflectance properties over a wide band of wavelengths.

Abstract: A heat pipe for converting solar energy into thermal energy comprising an envelope provided with an evaporator region and a condensor region, a quantity of vaporizable working fluid within the envelope, a wick within the envelope having capillary means for transporting the working fluid, and, preferably, evacuated transparent container means surrounding the evaporator region for insulating the evaporator region. The evaporator region of the heat pipe is made from a material which is substantially transparent to radiation in a selected range of the solar spectrum, and a wick therewithin which substantially absorbs radiation in at least a portion of the range of the solar spectrum transmitted through the evaporator region. Solar energy is thereby converted into thermal energy or heat directly within the wick, and the heat generated within the wick causes portions of the working fluid therein to evaporate.