Web Desk): The modern world is surrounded by an unending supply of electrical gadgets, wires, and charging accessories.
However, for persons living in distant or regional contexts, telecom infrastructure may confront significant challenges in reaching these more isolated places.
Nonetheless, researchers at the University of Ottawa have been working on a novel laser power converter that can provide electricity to remote locations across great distances, even in adverse situations.
Currently, devices can run on electricity from fiber networks. These systems use a fibre-optic cable to convert optical power into electrical power.
“In traditional power over fibre systems, most of the laser light is lost,” explains Professor Karin Hinzer of the University of Ottawa’s SUNLAB, one of Canada’s premier solar cell research institutes.
This can limit the length of fibre-optic cables, which can be a problem in isolated areas with harsh weather conditions.
“With these new devices, the fibre can be much longer.”
SUNLAB researchers collaborated with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Germany to develop a simulation model for photonic power converters at telecommunications-related infrared wavelengths.
Photonic power converters use fiber optic cables to convert laser light into electrical power.
“The fabricated device shows a dramatic improvement in power and data transmission over distances longer than a kilometre, where traditional systems are ineffective,” says Gavin Forcade, the paper’s first author.
Their conclusions were based on the use of multi-junction converters. These converters stack many semiconductor junctions on top.
A semiconductor junction is the point at which a positively and negatively charged semiconductor meet. This junction regulates electricity flow by absorbing laser light and transforming it into electrical power.
Using the multi-junction arrangement, the study team was able to generate 2 volts of power at its peak with more than 53% efficiency.
Previous research has shown that single-junction converters, or photonic power converters with only one layer, may reach up to 52.8% efficiency while producing only 0.6 volts.
While the team hopes that these advancements will contribute to more dependable telecommunications networks, they also feel there may be additional advantages.
“This could improve power to high voltage and monitoring sensors for smart grids without the risk of lightning faults,” Hinzer speculates.
“It could reduce sparking risks in hazardous environments and could potentially transmit power and data simultaneously to remote devices on existing fibre optic infrastructure.”
The researchers also believe that this technique might have other applications in space, powering drones, satellites, and lunar vehicles.