New Intense Light Source: Use of Dielectric Solids to Power ThermophotovoltaicElectric Generators and to Pump Lasers

摘要

A new light source using dielectric solids has been developed to powerthermophotovoltaics (TPV) and to pump lasers. The light source is a refractory solid emitter heated to relatively high temperature by combustion. The dielectric solid was chosen to have selective thermal emission with nearly narrowband emission peaked at various visible and IR wavelengths. The combination of the selective emitter with an optical waveguide is called a 'superemissive light pipe (SELP) and greatly increases its effectiveness. TPV was demonstrated by using an ytterbium garnet crystal SELP emitter powering a silicon photocell, and an erbium garnet crystal SELP emitter powering a GaSb photocell Thulium emitters were chosen to pump neodymium lasers, but no irrevocable cw laser action was observed, yet some enhanced 1064 nm emission was recorded.