METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXTRACTING ENERGY FROM A HEAT SOURCE USING PHOTONIC CRYSTALS WITH DEFECT CAVITIES

摘要

Methods and systems for extracting energy from a heat source using photonic crystals with defect cavities generally comprise a photonic crystal, a cavity, and a converter. The photonic crystal is responsive to a heat source and generates an electromagnetic beam in response to incidence with the heat source. The photonic crystal exhibits a band gap such that wavelengths within the band gap are substantially confined within the photonic crystal. The cavity is substantially within the crystal and is responsive to the electromagnetic beam such that the cavity transmits the electromagnetic beam to a specified location. The converter is substantially collocated with the specified location and extracts energy in response to incidence with the electromagnetic beam.