Abstract: A holographic device has been developed that greatly improves the efficiency of solar energy conversion. The single-element hologram focuses light to the side and also spectrally splits it. The output appears as a thin concentrated line, focused perpendicular to the hologram and displaced to the side. Different wavelengths are diffracted, concentrated, and dispersed to different locations on the line which resembles an elegant rainbow in the visible. The hologram lets each of two or more different solar cells absorb only those wavelengths which can efficiently convert to electric power. The device also prevents overheating by diffracting unwanted infrared radiation away from the cells. The side focus eliminates shadow effects, and cooling is easy, since the cells are not cascaded and the heat load is minimal. This novel system is ideal for concentrated, split- spectrum, high efficiency solar power generation.!4
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