Abstract

To reduce surface loss in luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), we systematically apply organic wavelength-selective mirrors, chiral nematic (cholesteric) liquid crystals, onto the LSCs with an air gap and determine their effect on waveguide output. The highest output is achieved using a scattering background and cholesteric mirror with a reflection band significantly redshifted ($\sim 150\mathrm{nm}$) from the emission peak of the fluorescent dye. The use of an air gap results in light bending away from the wave guide surface normal and, consequently, a redshift of the cholesteric mirrors is required. Up to 35% more dye-emitted light energy exits the waveguide edge after application of the cholesteric, and an increase in absolute edge power of 12% was found for a waveguide using a separate scatterer.

© 2010 Optical Society of America

Increased efficiency of luminescent solar concentrators after application of organic wavelength selective mirrors

Paul P. C. Verbunt, Shufen Tsoi, Michael G. Debije, Dirk. J. Boer, Cees W.M. Bastiaansen, Chi-Wen Lin, and Dick K. G. de Boer
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Patterned dye structures limit reabsorption in luminescent solar concentrators

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Promising fluorescent dye for solar energy conversion based on a perylene perinone

Michael G. Debije, Paul P. C. Verbunt, Pradeep J. Nadkarni, Suresh Velate, Kankan Bhaumik, Sankaran Nedumbamana, Brenda C. Rowan, Bryce S. Richards, and Theo L. Hoeks
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