Photonic crystal energy converter
View Patent ↗A photonic crystal is configured with wavelength converting material to act as a concentrator for electromagnetic energy. The concentrator may also be configured with energy conversion devices to convert the electromagnetic energy into another form of energy.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a first layer, the first layer including a first set of sub-elements arranged to form a first photonic crystal material, the sub-elements being configured to pass electromagnetic energy in a first wavelength band and to block electromagnetic energy in a second wavelength band;
said first layer further including a first region containing a first wavelength converting material, the first wavelength converting material being of a type that converts energy from the first wavelength band to the second wavelength band; and
wherein the first layer is configured to direct electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band from the first region to one or more output locations separate from the first region.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , each of said electromagnetic energy in the first wavelength band and electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band having a respective direction vector with respect to the normal of the first layer, and wherein the first layer is configured to pass electromagnetic energy having a first range of direction vectors and to block electromagnetic energy having a second range of direction vectors.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first layer is oriented to block electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band from traveling along the direction vector of the electromagnetic energy in the first wavelength band.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , said electromagnetic energy having a polarization, wherein the first layer is configured to pass electromagnetic energy having a first polarization and to block electromagnetic energy having a second polarization.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first photonic crystal material is configured to cause the first wavelength converting material to convert energy from the first wavelength band into a third wavelength band, said third wavelength band being substantially within the second wavelength band.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein energy in the third wavelength band is substantially confined to the photonic crystal material.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first layer includes an input face configured to receive an optical beam.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first set of sub-elements includes a matrix arrangement.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first layer further includes a waveguide aligned to receive energy from the first region and configured to direct the received energy to the one or more locations separate from the first region.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first layer further includes a plurality of waveguides, each aligned to receive energy from the first region and configured to direct the received energy to a respective set of the one or more locations separate from the first region.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the plurality of waveguides are configured to direct the received energy to a common one of the one or more locations separate from the first region.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first group of sub-elements in the first set of sub-elements form a first sub-layer and a second group of sub-elements in the first set of sub-elements form a second sub-layer different from the first sub-layer.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first sub-layer comprises a first dielectric material and the second sub-layer comprises a second dielectric material.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first group of sub-elements in the first set of sub-elements form a third sub-layer and wherein the second group of sub-elements in the first set of sub-elements form a fourth sub-layer.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first group of sub-elements in the first set of sub-elements and the second group of sub-elements in the first set of sub-elements form a multilayer structure having alternating sub-layers of the first group of sub-elements and the second group of sub-elements.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the multilayer structure comprises alternating layers of a first dielectric material sub-layer and a second dielectric material sub-layer.
17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first dielectric material sub-layer has a first thickness and a first dielectric constant and the second dielectric material sub-layer has a second thickness and a second dielectric constant different from the first dielectric constant.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first thickness, first dielectric constant, second thickness, second dielectric constant, and total number of sub-layers are chosen such that the first photonic crystal material guides electromagnetic energy within the second wavelength band.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first photonic crystal material guides electromagnetic energy within the second wavelength band in a direction parallel to the interfaces between sub-layers.
20. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first layer further includes a waveguide extending from the first region to the one or more locations separate from the first region.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the waveguide is configured to guide electromagnetic radiation in the second wavelength band.
22. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first layer further includes a plurality of waveguides extending from the first region to the one or more locations separate from the first region.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein one or more of the plurality of waveguides is configured to guide electromagnetic radiation in the second wavelength band.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein two or more of the plurality of waveguides extend to a common one of the one or more locations separate from the first region.
25. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first region overlaps the first sub-layer.
26. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a second region containing a second wavelength converting material that converts energy from a third wavelength band to a fourth wavelength band.
27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the second wavelength converting material is different from the first wavelength converting material.
28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the first region is different from the second region.
29. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the second region and the first region are both at least partially within the first layer.
30. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the third wavelength band overlaps at least in part with the first wavelength band.
31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the fourth wavelength band overlaps at least in part with the second wavelength band.
32. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the set of sub-elements are further structured to pass electromagnetic energy in a fifth wavelength band and to block electromagnetic energy in a sixth wavelength band.
33. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second layer oriented substantially adjacent to the first layer, the second layer including a second set of sub-elements arranged to form a second photonic crystal, the second photonic crystal being structured to pass electromagnetic energy in a pass wavelength band and to block electromagnetic energy in a block wavelength band, the second layer further including a second region containing a second wavelength converting material that converts energy from the pass wavelength band to the block wavelength band.
34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the second layer is configured to direct electromagnetic energy in the block wavelength band to one or more output locations separate from the second region.
35. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the pass and first wavelength bands overlap.
36. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the second set of sub-elements is different from the first set of sub-elements.
37. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the second wavelength converting material is different from the first wavelength converting material.
38. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein at least one of the output locations separate from the first region is the same location as at least one of the output locations separate from the second region.
39. The apparatus of claim 1 further including an energy conversion device positioned to receive electromagnetic energy from the output location.
40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the energy conversion device converts electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band to electrical energy.
41. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the energy conversion device includes a photodiode.
42. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the energy conversion device includes a photoelectric device.
43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the photoelectric device is silicon based.
44. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the energy conversion device includes a substantially full spectrum response.
45. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the energy conversion device includes gallium or indium.
46. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the energy conversion device includes indium nitride.
47. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the energy conversion device includes a plurality of junctions.
48. An apparatus comprising:
a first layer, the first layer including a first set of sub-elements arranged to form a first photonic crystal material, the sub-elements being configured to pass electromagnetic energy in a first wavelength band and to block electromagnetic energy in a second wavelength band;
said first layer further including a first region containing a first wavelength converting material, the first wavelength converting material being of a type that converts energy from the first wavelength band to the second wavelength band;
wherein the first layer is configured to direct electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band from the first region to one or more output locations separate from the first region;
further including an energy conversion device positioned to receive electromagnetic energy from the output location;
wherein the energy conversion device includes a plurality of junctions; and
wherein each of the junctions in the plurality of junctions includes a respective central wavelength, and wherein a first of the central wavelengths is different from a second of the central wavelengths.
49. An apparatus comprising:
a first layer, the first layer including a first set of sub-elements arranged to form a first photonic crystal material, the sub-elements being configured to pass electromagnetic energy in a first wavelength band and to block electromagnetic energy in a second wavelength band;
said first layer further including a first region containing a first wavelength converting material, the first wavelength converting material being of a type that converts energy from the first wavelength band to the second wavelength band;
wherein the first layer is configured to direct electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band from the first region to one or more output locations separate from the first region;
further including an energy conversion device positioned to receive electromagnetic energy from the output location; and
wherein the energy conversion device includes at least three junctions.
50. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein each of the junctions in the at least three junctions includes a respective central wavelength, and wherein each of the central wavelengths is different from at least two other central wavelengths.
51. An apparatus comprising:
a first layer, the first layer including a first set of sub-elements arranged to form a first photonic crystal material, the sub-elements being configured to pass electromagnetic energy in a first wavelength band and to block electromagnetic energy in a second wavelength band;
said first layer further including a first region containing a first wavelength converting material, the first wavelength converting material being of a type that converts energy from the first wavelength band to the second wavelength band;
wherein the first layer is configured to direct electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band from the first region to one or more output locations separate from the first region; and
wherein the first wavelength band passed by the first layer overlaps at least in part with the solar spectrum.
52. An apparatus comprising:
a first layer, the first layer including a first set of sub-elements arranged to form a first photonic crystal material, the sub-elements being configured to pass electromagnetic energy in a first wavelength band and to block electromagnetic energy in a second wavelength band;
said first layer further including a first region containing a first wavelength converting material, the first wavelength converting material being of a type that converts energy from the first wavelength band to the second wavelength band;
wherein the first layer is configured to direct electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band from the first region to one or more output locations separate from the first region; and
wherein the first wavelength converting material includes one or more fluorophores.
53. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the one or more fluorophores include one or more quantum dots.
54. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the one or more fluorophores include one or more organic fluorescent dyes.
55. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first layer includes one or more electro-optic materials.
56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the set of sub-elements forms at least a portion of the one or more electro-optic materials.
57. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first layer includes one or more acousto-optic materials.
58. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the set of sub-elements forms at least a portion of the one or more acousto-optic materials.
59. An apparatus, comprising:
a photonic crystal structure, said photonic crystal structure further including a photonic crystal material and a first wavelength converting material;
an energy conversion device positioned to receive electromagnetic energy from the first wavelength converting material;
wherein the photonic crystal is structured to pass electromagnetic energy in a first wavelength band and to block electromagnetic energy in a second wavelength band; and
wherein the first wavelength band passed by the photonic crystal overlaps at least in part with the solar spectrum.
60. The apparatus of claim 59 , the photonic crystal being structured to pass electromagnetic energy in a first wavelength band and to block electromagnetic energy in a second wavelength band.
61. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein the first wavelength converting material is within a first region of the photonic crystal structure.
62. The apparatus of claim 61 wherein the first wavelength converting material is of a type that converts energy from the first wavelength band to the second wavelength band.
63. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the photonic crystal structure is configured to direct electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band to one or more output locations separate from the first region.
64. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the photonic crystal structure is substantially planar having parallel faces.
65. The apparatus of claim 64 wherein the photonic crystal comprises a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer.
66. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the first sub-layer comprises a first dielectric material and the second sub-layer comprises a second dielectric material.
67. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein the first dielectric sub-layer has a first thickness and a first dielectric constant and the second dielectric sub-layer has a second thickness and a second dielectric constant.
68. An apparatus, comprising:
a photonic crystal structure, said photonic crystal structure further including a photonic crystal material and a first wavelength converting material;
an energy conversion device positioned to receive electromagnetic energy from the first wavelength converting material;
wherein the photonic crystal structure is substantially planar having parallel faces;
wherein the photonic crystal comprises a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer;
wherein the first sub-layer comprises a first dielectric material and the second sub-layer comprises a second dielectric material;
wherein the first dielectric sub-layer has a first thickness and a first dielectric constant and the second dielectric sub-layer has a second thickness and a second dielectric constant; and
wherein the first thickness, first dielectric constant, second thickness, second dielectric constant, and total number of sub-layers are chosen to block more than 95% of electromagnetic energy within the second wavelength band.
69. An apparatus, comprising:
a photonic crystal structure, said photonic crystal structure further including a photonic crystal material and a first wavelength converting material;
an energy conversion device positioned to receive electromagnetic energy from the first wavelength converting material;
wherein the photonic crystal structure is substantially planar having parallel faces;
wherein the photonic crystal comprises a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer;
wherein the first sub-layer comprises a first dielectric material and the second sub-layer comprises a second dielectric material;
wherein the first dielectric sub-layer has a first thickness and a first dielectric constant and the second dielectric sub-layer has a second thickness and a second dielectric constant; and
wherein the first thickness, first dielectric constant, second thickness, second dielectric constant, and total number of sub-layers are chosen to pass less than 5% of electromagnetic energy within the second wavelength band.
70. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein the photonic crystal further includes a multilayer structure, said multilayer structure having at least two alternating layers of the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material.
71. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the photonic crystal structure further includes a waveguide extending from a first region including the first wavelength converting material to one or more locations separate from the first region.
72. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the photonic crystal structure further includes a plurality of waveguides extending from a first region including the first wavelength converting material to one or more locations separate from the first region.
73. The apparatus of claim 72 wherein two or more of the plurality of waveguides are configured to join at least one of the locations separate from the first region.
74. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein a region of the photonic crystal structure forms a first waveguide.
75. The apparatus of claim 74 wherein the photonic crystal further includes a multilayer structure that forms the first waveguide, the multilayer structure having at least two alternating layers of a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material.
76. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the first waveguide is a substantially planar waveguide.
77. The apparatus of claim 74 wherein the first waveguide is bounded on at least three sides.
78. The apparatus of claim 74 wherein the first waveguide includes an inner core region and at least one outer region, the inner core region comprising a core dielectric material and the at least one outer region comprising a cladding dielectric material, wherein the at least one outer regions surround the inner core region.
79. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the inner core region has a first characteristic dimension.
80. The apparatus of claim 79 wherein the first characteristic dimension is a radius.
81. The apparatus of claim 79 , the first waveguide being structured to pass electromagnetic energy in a first wavelength band and to block electromagnetic energy in a second wavelength band.
82. The apparatus of claim 81 wherein the photonic crystal is further structured to pass electromagnetic energy in a third wavelength band and to block electromagnetic energy in a fourth wavelength band.
83. The apparatus of claim 81 wherein the first wavelength converting material is of a type that converts energy from the first wavelength band to the second wavelength band.
84. An apparatus, comprising:
a photonic crystal structure, said photonic crystal structure further including a photonic crystal material and a first wavelength converting material;
an energy conversion device positioned to receive electromagnetic energy from the first wavelength converting material;
wherein a region of the photonic crystal structure forms a first waveguide;
wherein the first waveguide includes an inner core region and at least one outer region, the inner core region comprising a core dielectric material and the at least one outer region comprising a cladding dielectric material, wherein the at least one outer regions surround the inner core region;
wherein the inner core region has a first characteristic dimension;
the first waveguide being structured to pass electromagnetic energy in a first wavelength band and to block electromagnetic energy in a second wavelength band;
wherein the first wavelength converting material is of a type that converts energy from the first wavelength band to the second wavelength band; and
wherein the first characteristic dimension, core dielectric constant, cladding dielectric material, and dielectric constant of the cladding material define a structure that blocks more than 95% of electromagnetic energy within the second wavelength band.
85. The apparatus of claim 74 further including a device for directing radiation, wherein said device is configured to direct radiation onto the first waveguide.
86. The apparatus of claim 85 wherein the device for directing radiation onto the first waveguide is a lens.
87. The apparatus of claim 85 wherein the device for directing radiation onto the first waveguide is a mirror.
88. The apparatus of claim 85 wherein the device for directing radiation onto the first waveguide is a diffractive element.
89. The apparatus of claim 85 wherein the first wavelength converting material is of a type that converts energy from a first wavelength band to a second wavelength band.
90. The apparatus of claim 89 wherein the first waveguide is oriented relative to the device for directing radiation such that said device couples light in the first wavelength band into the first waveguide.
91. The apparatus of claim 90 further comprising a second photonic crystal, said second photonic crystal including a second wavelength converting material, said second wavelength converting material being of a type that converts energy from a third wavelength band to a fourth wavelength band.
92. The apparatus of claim 91 wherein the second waveguide is oriented relative to the device for directing radiation such that said device couples light in the third wavelength band into the second waveguide.
93. The apparatus of claim 92 wherein the device for directing radiation is a diffractive element.
94. The apparatus of claim 91 further including a second energy conversion device positioned to receive electromagnetic energy from the second wavelength converting material.
95. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the first wavelength converting material is within a first region of the photonic crystal structure, and wherein the first wavelength converting material is of a type that converts energy from a first portion of a first wavelength band to a second wavelength band, further including a second wavelength converting material within a second region of the photonic crystal structure that converts energy from a second portion of the first wavelength band to a third wavelength band.
96. The apparatus of claim 95 wherein the first region is different from the second region.
97. The apparatus of claim 95 wherein the third wavelength band overlaps at least in part with the second wavelength band.
98. The apparatus of claim 95 wherein the photonic crystal structure is structured to confine light in the second and third wavelength bands.
99. The apparatus of claim 98 wherein the photonic crystal structure is structured to confine light in the second wavelength band in a first confined region and light of the third wavelength band in a second confined region.
100. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein the first and second confined regions are different regions.
101. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein the first and second confined regions are overlapping regions.
102. An apparatus, comprising:
a photonic crystal structure, said photonic crystal structure further including a photonic crystal material and a first wavelength converting material;
an energy conversion device positioned to receive electromagnetic energy from the first wavelength converting material; and
wherein the first wavelength converting material comprises one or more fluorophores.
103. The apparatus of claim 102 wherein the one or more fluorophores comprise one or more quantum dots.
104. The apparatus of claim 102 wherein the one or more fluorophores comprise one or more organic fluorescent dyes.
105. The apparatus of claim 59 further including an electro-optic material positioned to interact with the photonic crystal structure.
106. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the photonic crystal is electro-optic.
107. The apparatus of claim 59 further including an acousto-optic material positioned to interact with the photonic crystal structure.
108. An apparatus, comprising:
a selector region having a first photonic bandgap structure;
a trapping region having a second photonic bandgap structure;
a conversion region within the trapping region;
a converting device coupled to the conversion region;
wherein the selector region is defined by a man-made material;
wherein the selector region comprises a multilayer structure, said multilayer structure comprising at least two alternating layers of a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material;
wherein the first dielectric layer has a first thickness and a first dielectric constant and the second dielectric layer has a second thickness and a second dielectric constant different from the first dielectric constant;
wherein the first thickness, first dielectric constant, second thickness, second dielectric constant, and total number of layers are chosen to pass substantially all of the electromagnetic energy within a first wavelength band through the selector region and to block substantially all of the electromagnetic energy within a second wavelength band from entering the selector region; and
wherein the conversion region is configured to convert electromagnetic energy in the first wavelength band to electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band.
109. The apparatus of claim 108 wherein the trapping region traps electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band.
110. The apparatus of claim 109 wherein the trapping region is configured to guide electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band to the convening device.
111. A method for:
passing electromagnetic energy in a first wavelength band into a first region and blocking electromagnetic energy in a second wavelength band from entering the first region;
converting electromagnetic energy in the first wavelength band to electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band within said first region;
trapping substantially all electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band within said first region; and
directing electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band to one or more locations outside of said first region.
112. The method of claim 111 further comprising converting electromagnetic energy in the second wavelength band to another form of energy.
113. The method of claim 111 further comprising dynamically changing the first wavelength band.
114. The method of claim 111 further comprising passing electromagnetic energy in a third wavelength band into a second region and blocking electromagnetic energy in a fourth wavelength band from entering the second region.
115. The method of claim 114 wherein the first and second regions are different regions.
116. The method of claim 111 further comprising selecting a first wavelength range from a beam of incident radiation and directing the first wavelength range to the first region.