Experimental assessment of low temperature voltaic energy conversion

Abstract
An experimental investigation of low temperature thermo photo voltaic (TPV) power conversion has been completed in the temperature range of 800 °C–1000 °C. Experimental results include: 1) current‐voltage characteristics of Indium‐Gallium‐Arsenide (InGaAs) cells with bandgaps ranging from .73 ev to .52 ev, 2) spectral control characteristics of dichroic interference and semiconductor plasma filters, and 3) design and operational characteristics of a 30 watt TPV power module. Analysis results are presented to demonstrate understanding of process physics. Results support the feasibility of low temperature TPV energy conversion.