Optical Nanoantennas for Photovoltaic Applications

In the last decade, the development and progress of nanotechnology has enabled a better understanding of the light-matter interaction at the nanoscale. Its unique capability to fabricate new structures at atomic scale has already produced novel materials and devices with great potential applications in a wide range of fields. In this context, nanotechnology allows the development of models, such as nanometric optical antennas, with dimensions smaller than the wavelength of the incident electromagnetic wave. In this article, the behavior of optical aperture nanoantennas, a metal sheet with apertures of dimensions smaller than the wavelength, combined with photovoltaic solar panels is studied. This technique emerged as a potential renewable energy solution, by increasing the efficiency of solar cells, while reducing their manufacturing and electricity production costs. The objective of this article is to perform a performance analysis, using COMSOL Multiphysics software, with different materials and designs of nanoantennas and choosing the most suitable one for use on a solar photovoltaic panel.

Automated summary

The development of nanotechnology in the past decade has greatly enhanced understanding of light-matter interaction at the nanoscale, leading to the creation of novel materials and devices with vast potential applications. Utilizing optical aperture nanoantennas in conjunction with photovoltaic solar panels can increase the efficiency of solar cells while reducing manufacturing and electricity production costs, offering a promising renewable energy solution. The objective of this study is to analyze and select the most suitable materials and designs of nanoantennas for use on solar photovoltaic panels using COMSOL Multiphysics software.