UCLA

Thermal infrared radiation, conventionally defined as the band from 7-14um, is an important waveband for a variety of applications in radiative cooling and thermal imaging. Due to its broadband character, traditional resonant photonic phenomena's typically extremely narrow band, high quality factor behaviors are not generally applied to the thermal wavelengths. Here we show a variety of ways in which conventionally high quality factor, narrow band resonances can be augmented for effective use over broadband regimes. This theme is demonstrated in the cases of relativistic lightsails, thermal infrared optics, and solar cell module glass. I show how conventional nanophotonic structures can be applied to these systems to derive benefits such as improved radiative cooling performance, increased interfacial transmission efficiency, and increased photovoltaic module power generation efficiency and longevity.