Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Physics
First Advisor
Dr. Mariama Dias
Abstract
Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems convert thermal radiation into electricity, and their efficiency depends strongly on the temperature-dependent optical response of the emitter materials. To support the design of high-temperature selective emitters, we characterized the thermo-optical properties of aluminum nitride ceramic (AlN), silicon carbide (4H– SiC), and aluminum oxide on aluminum nitride (AlN/Al2O3) thin film/substrate pairs, as a promising example of a bilayer emitter. Spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements from 240 nm to 2500 nm were performed while heating samples from room temperature to 600 °C. Using general oscillators modeling, we established accurate temperature dependent optical models consistent with literature values. Increasing temperature revealed systematic changes in the complex refractive index, ˜n = n + ik, associated with phonon broadening and carrier-induced absorption. These results clarify how thermal and electronic effects modify the optical behavior in wide-band gap ceramics and provide key input for emitter design in TPV applications operating up to 1800 °C.
Recommended Citation
Huang, Po-Chao, "Temperature-Dependent Optical Properties Characterization of Thermophotovoltaic Selective Emitter (4H– SiC, AlN ceramic, and AlN/Al2O3)" (2026). Honors Theses. 1903.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/1903