High performance solar-selective absorbers using coated sub-wavelength gratings

Spectral control of the emissivity of surfaces is essential for efficient conversion of solar radiation into heat. We investigated surfaces consisting of sub-wavelength V-groove gratings coated with aperiodic metal-dielectric stacks. The spectral behavior of the coated gratings was modeled using rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA). The proposed absorber coatings combine impedance matching using tapered metallic features with the excellent spectral selectivity of aperiodic metal-dielectric stacks. The aspect ratio of the V-groove can be tailored in order to obtain the desired spectral selectivity over a wide angular range. Coated V-groove gratings with optimal aspect ratio are predicted to have thermal emissivity below 6% at 720K while absorbing > 94% of the incident light. These sub-wavelength gratings would have the potential to significantly increase the efficiency of concentrated solar thermal systems. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America