Frequency selective surfaces as near-infrared electromagnetic filters for thermophotovoltaic spectral control

Frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) effectively filter electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band (1 mm to 100 mm). Interest exists in extending this technology to the near infrared (1 mum to 10 mum) for use as a filter of thermal radiation in thermophotovoltaic (TPV) direct energy conversion. This article assesses the ability of FSSs to meet the strict spectral performance requirements of a TPV system. Inherent parasitic absorption, which is the result of the induced currents in the FSS metallization, is identified as a significant obstacle to achieving high spectral performance. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.