Improved light-to-electric energy conversion is needed for both solar energy harvesting and sensitive cameras
in the visible and IR range. Optical rectennas combined with ultra-high speed rectifying diodes are a known nanotechnology for conversion of light to electric energy. However, the currently available systems are subject to the high impedance of the parasitic properties of the rectifying MIM diodes, rendering them inefficient to the point of
useless.
The Improved Rectenna System (IRS) increases the efficiency of the rectifying MIM diodes that, combined with nano-rectennas, significantly increase the efficacy of the light to-electrical energy conversion.
Our suggested method of production is inexpensive and widely available. This reduces manufacturing costs for
the nano-rectenna arrays, making them less expensive than the silicon PV cells that are most commonly used.
The IRS is applicable for image sensors operating in the VIS and NIR ranges. Such rectenna image sensors will have an estimated sensitivity of 80 times more than the best CCD/CMOS image sensors available today. The IRS will also overcome the efficacy limitations of semiconductor solar cells.
– Growing global solar power market
– Image sensors, cameras, and night vision
