**9. Acknowledgments**

Support for this project was from NSF-EPSCoR Grant No. 0554609, NASA-EPSCoR Grant NNX09AU83A, and the State of South Dakota. Simulation was carried out using AMPS 1D beta version (Penn State University). Dr. Huh appreciates AMES Lab for providing sputtering facility. We appreciate AMPS 1D beta version (Penn State Univ.)

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**17** 

V.I. Laptev1 and H. Khlyap2

*1Russian New University, 2Kaiserslautern University,* 

*1Russian Federation* 

*2Germany* 

**Photons as Working Body of Solar Engines** 

Models of solar cells are constructed using the concepts of band theory and thermodynamic principles. The former have been most extensively used in calculations of the efficiency of solar cells (Luque & Marti, 2003; Badesku et al., 2001; De Vos et al., 1993, 1985; Landsberg & Tonge, 1989, 1980; Leff, 1987). Thermodynamic description is performed by two methods. In one of these, balance equations for energy and entropy fluxes are used, whereas the second (the method of cycles) comes to solutions of balance equations (Landsberg & Leff, 1989; Novikov, 1958; Rubin, 1979; De Vos, 1992).Conditions are sought under which energy exchange between radiation and substance produces as much work as possible. Work is maximum when the process is quasi-static. No equilibrium between substance and radiation is, however, attained in solar cells. We therefore believe that the search for continuous sequences of equilibrium states in solar energy conversion, which is not quasi-static on the whole, and an analysis of these states as separate processes aimed at improving the efficiency of solar cells is a problem of current interest. Examples of such use of the maximum work principle have not been found in the literature on radiant energy conversion (Luque & Marti, 2003; Badesku et al., 2001; De Vos et al., 1993, 1992, 1985;

We use the model of solar energy conversion (De Vos, 1985) shown in Fig. 1. The absorber of thermal radiation is blackbody *1* with temperature *T*A. The blackbody is situated in the center of spherical cavity *2* with mirror walls and lens *3* used to achieve the highest radiation concentration on the black surface by optical methods. Heat absorber *4* with

The filling of cavity *2* with solar radiation is controlled by moving mirror *5*. If the mirror is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the cavity contains two radiations with temperatures *T*A and *T*S. If the mirror prevents access by solar radiation, the cavity contains radiation from blackbody *1* only. Radiations in excess of these two are not considered. In this model, solar energy conversion occurs at *T*0= 300 and *T*S = 5800 K. The temperature of the blackbody is

Landsberg & Tonge, 1989, 1980; Leff, 1987; Novikov, 1958; Rubin, 1979).

**2. Theory of radiant energy conversion into work 2.1 Using model for converting radiant energy into work** 

temperature *T*0<*T*A is in contact with the blackbody.

**1. Introduction** 

*T*A = 320 K.


<http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/world.html>.

