Abstract
Efficient and low-cost solar-energy collection has become the focus of many research works. This paper proposes a recording method and an experimental verification of a wide-band, large-angle, and high concentration-ratio volume-holographic grating for solar concentration. We applied the Kogelnik coupled-wave theory and photopolymer diffusion model to analyse the formation mechanism and influencing factors on the diffraction efficiency of monochromatic volume-holographic gratings. We design and construct a three-color laser-interference system to record three monochromatic volume-holographic gratings. The best recording conditions are determined by experiment and simulation. A trichromatic volume-holographic grating is obtained by gluing the three monochromatic gratings together. The experimental results show that the trichromatic volume-holographic grating with a working angle of 6.7° and a working band of visible light has a light concentration ratio of 149.2 under an illumination of the combined recorded three-color beams, and that under sunlight is 27.2. We find that the proposed trichromatic volume-holographic grating for light concentration offers the advantages of wide band and high light concentration ratio, which provide a reference for solar concentration.
Highlights
Non-renewable energy sources, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, cause environmental pollution, and restrict economic development to a certain extent
The diffraction efficiency of the trichromatic holographic grating is larger under the red-light illumination than that under blue and green light illumination
To solve the problem of high cost in the current conventional solar-concentration technology due to the tracking system, we propose a new wide-band solar-concentration technology based on volume holography
Summary
Non-renewable energy sources, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, cause environmental pollution, and restrict economic development to a certain extent. Solving the energy problem has become an urgent issue to address in our contemporary society. As a type of renewable energy, solar energy provides the advantages of universality, safety, and long-lasting properties; it offers special development prospects. Traditional concentrators, such as lenses and Fresnel lenses, are widely applied, but they have small condensing angle. A tracking device must be installed when they are used as sunlight concentrator, which leads to issues such as complicated concentrator structure and high cost. Following the development of material technology, concentrators based on volume holography are expected to solve the small working-angle problem of traditional concentrators
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
