preprints.org > physical sciences > optics and photonics > doi: 10.20944/preprints202409.1932.v1

Preprint Review Version 1 This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 23 September 2024 / Approved: 24 September 2024 / Online: 25 September 2024 (04:00:16 CEST)

With the ever-growing geopolitical tensions across borders arising, ultimately from the eternal energy needs, it is the peak time for humanity to put its reliance on a more quasi-perpetuity source of energy, such as the Sun. Even though current photovoltaics are the frontier of solar power harvesting, their efficiencies are reaching a state of stasis sooner or later. The efficiencies of single-junction solar cells are capped by the Shockley-Quiesser limit of 33.7%. Researchers are racing toward a way to beat this limit while keeping the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCE) to its minimum. Amongst all contenders, rectenna (or rectifying antenna), which was invented only a decade after the first practical PV cell by the Bells lab [1], is the most promising technology to take the forefront in quenching the energy needs, not only because of the absence of any such theoretical limit but also a lower cost of production. This report will review three state-of-the-art architectures for optical rectification developed by the leading groups worldwide. The review will compile a concise discussion on Metal-Double-Insulator-Metal diodes, CNT-Insulator-Metal diodes, and Point-contact-Metal-Insulator-Metal diodes, with an elaborative focus on their fabrication methods and results obtained.

Levelized Cost of Energy; Rectenna; Shockley-Quiesser limit; Metal-Double-Insulator-Metal diodes; CNT-Insulator-Metal diodes; Point-contact-Metal-Insulator-Metal diodes

Physical Sciences, Optics and Photonics

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