Work

Axion-Field-Enhanced Near-Field Thermophotovoltaic Systems with Band Dislocation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We propose a near-field thermophotovoltaic system utilizing magnetic Weyl semimetals, which exhibit a distinct gyrotropic effect originating from their intrinsic axion field. Critically, we demonstrate that intentional band dislocation, achieved by layer-specific tuning of the chemical potential, significantly enhances the energy-conversion efficiency. This effect arises from the formation of quasi-flat bands in momentum space, which broaden the spectral heat flux and amplify photon tunneling above the bandgap. At optimized chemical potential mismatches, the system achieves a 65% Carnot efficiency and a power density of 7 × 104 W⋅m−2, surpassing symmetric configurations by 7%. The optimization of the Weyl semimetals thickness further demonstrates a clear tuning window where both the output power and energy-conversion efficiency are significantly improved. These results establish chemical-potential engineering toward high-efficiency near-field thermophotovoltaics for waste heat recovery and infrared energy applications.

Source: Chinese Physics Letters

DOI: 10.1088/0256-307x/42/10/100403

Authors: Rongqian Wang, Jincheng Lu, Jiebin Peng, Jian-Hua Jiang

Institutions: Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Guangdong University of Technology, University of Science and Technology of China

Language: English

Topic: Thermal Radiation and Cooling Technologies

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,500