Physicists from Trinity College Dublin, Prof. Paul Eastham and LuÃsa Toledo Tude, have published a theoretical study in the journal Physical Review A. The study outlines a method for converting diffuse light, such as that from sunlight or computer screens, into useful energy.
The researchers' investigation into light behavior suggests a potential approach to converting heat into usable energy. This theoretical breakthrough is currently undergoing laboratory tests and is anticipated to influence the development of specialized devices. These devices could enhance the amount of energy collected from various light sources, including sunlight, lamps, and LEDs, for practical applications.
The study describes how photons (light particles) can condense when captured within small optical devices. This condensation causes the photons to act collectively, focusing light energy into a narrow, powerful beam of a single, pure color, akin to a laser.
Previous experiments demonstrated this phenomenon only when the energy input was already concentrated, such as that provided by a laser. However, the new study by the Trinity researchers proposes that this process can be achieved using dispersed energy inputs like sunlight or LEDs.
Paul Eastham, the study's senior author and Naughton Associate Professor at the School of Physics, stated that their modeling of light-trapping devices revealed a connection to the general properties of heat engines. Heat engines convert disorganized energy, referred to as 'heat' in physics, into a useful form, known as 'work.' He noted that the same principles that govern steam engines and power plants also dictate whether photons condense.
Eastham indicated that this research could impact the development of optical devices designed to manage the flow of light energy at the quantum level, with potential uses in areas from solar cells to microscopic engines powered by radiation.
LuÃsa Toledo Tude, the first author of the study, explained that the primary aim of such optical devices would be to produce 'useful' energy in the form of laser-like light. This form of light is easily convertible into other energy types. For example, such a device might be integrated with solar cells to increase the amount of electrical energy captured from sunlight.
The researchers urged caution against premature speculation, emphasizing that the next phase involves testing the theory in a laboratory setting. They expressed optimism that this work may eventually contribute to increasing the amount of useful energy captured from light sources.