Energy harvesting using Graphene based antenna for UV spectrum

Abstract

Recent advances in the fabrication and characterization of nanomaterials have led to the intelligible applications of such nanomaterials in the next generation of flexible electronics and highly efficient photovoltaic devices. Nanotechnology has been used in thin film photovoltaic devices, and is considered as one of the most promising research areas in power harvesting applications. The excellent electron transport properties of Graphene make it an attractive choice for the next generation of electronics and applications in energy-related areas. In this paper, we present the design and an analytical model of graphene-based nanoscale antennas for power harvesting applications. Unlike conventional solar cells that harvest energy in the visible light frequencies range, we focus on the design of a nanoscale antenna that harvests energy in the UV spectrum range frequencies. Though the irradiance of UV from the sun is less than infrared and visible light frequencies, the excess energy of photons in the UV frequency is greater than infrared or visible light frequencies and makes up for the lack of irradiance.