Smart multifunction diffractive lens experimental validation for future PV cell applications

Recently, diffractive optical elements (DOE's) have attracted more attention for applications to third generation PV cells. Some DOE types can provide multiple functions such as spectrum splitting and beam concentration (SSBC) simultaneously. An off-axis diffractive lens has been designed and its ability to achieve the SSBC proved experimentally. This lens can be used to separate the solar spectrum in the Vis-NIR range into two bands with a low concentration factor, and about 70% optical efficiency. It is expected that this kind of lens can be integrated with the lateral multijunction PV cells to build an effective compact solar system. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America