Gradient-Index Optics and Concentrating Photovoltaics
Speaker: Duncan T. Moore, Ph.D., Rudolph and Hilda Kingslake Professor of Optical Engineering Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship
University of Rochester
Friday, November 17
3:15 pm
Bennett Hall, Rm. 140
Joint colloquium, Department of Physics & Astronomy and the College of Engineering
Gradient-Index materials are ones in which the composition varies within the material causing the light to propagate on a curved path. This reduces the number of lenses in complex optical systems. This is the effect that makes the road seem wet on a hot summer day. Examples will be given of water waves and sound waves in water. The second portion of the talk will discuss concentrating photovoltaic (CPV). CPV allows for high efficiency but high cost solar cells to be used to create alternatives to silicon photovoltaic systems.