Four-Ce:Nd:YAG-rod solar laser with 4.49% conversion efficiency through Fresnel lens

Abstract The development of solar laser systems that combine high efficiency and cost-effectiveness is key to the practical implementation of this renewable technology. This paper presents the outcomes of the assessment of a solar laser prototype performed in the focal zone of a Fresnel lens, where...

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Main Authors: Hugo Costa, Dawei Liang, Joana Almeida, Bruno D. Tibúrcio, Cláudia R. Vistas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96239-5
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author Hugo Costa
Dawei Liang
Joana Almeida
Bruno D. Tibúrcio
Cláudia R. Vistas
author_facet Hugo Costa
Dawei Liang
Joana Almeida
Bruno D. Tibúrcio
Cláudia R. Vistas
author_sort Hugo Costa
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The development of solar laser systems that combine high efficiency and cost-effectiveness is key to the practical implementation of this renewable technology. This paper presents the outcomes of the assessment of a solar laser prototype performed in the focal zone of a Fresnel lens, where it successfully emitted four laser beams at the same time. It featured an aspheric lens, a conical pump cavity, and four Ce:Nd:YAG rods arranged in an end-side pump configuration. A total laser power of 22.46 W was achieved with a 0.9 m collection diameter, corresponding to a 4.49% solar-to-laser power conversion efficiency. This efficiency represents a new benchmark for Fresnel lens systems, reflecting a 16% increase over the previous record. A slope efficiency of 6.76% was also attained, indicating a 7% enhancement. Furthermore, the employment of four rods enabled sustained laser operation for 112 s without reliance on solar tracking assistance. This performance was observed around local solar noon, during which the focal zone underwent a displacement of 0.80° in the azimuthal direction and 0.09° in the altitudinal direction. These outcomes indicate that multirod solar laser systems that involve Fresnel lenses can still be competitive with those employing parabolic mirrors while also being economically advantageous.
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spelling doaj-art-eb2f60eef37e4e8bb201961fdb6cedbd2025-08-20T02:17:50ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-96239-5Four-Ce:Nd:YAG-rod solar laser with 4.49% conversion efficiency through Fresnel lensHugo Costa0Dawei Liang1Joana Almeida2Bruno D. Tibúrcio3Cláudia R. Vistas4Department of Physics, Centre of Physics and Technological Research, NOVA School of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Physics, Centre of Physics and Technological Research, NOVA School of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Physics, Centre of Physics and Technological Research, NOVA School of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Physics, Centre of Physics and Technological Research, NOVA School of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Physics, Centre of Physics and Technological Research, NOVA School of Science and TechnologyAbstract The development of solar laser systems that combine high efficiency and cost-effectiveness is key to the practical implementation of this renewable technology. This paper presents the outcomes of the assessment of a solar laser prototype performed in the focal zone of a Fresnel lens, where it successfully emitted four laser beams at the same time. It featured an aspheric lens, a conical pump cavity, and four Ce:Nd:YAG rods arranged in an end-side pump configuration. A total laser power of 22.46 W was achieved with a 0.9 m collection diameter, corresponding to a 4.49% solar-to-laser power conversion efficiency. This efficiency represents a new benchmark for Fresnel lens systems, reflecting a 16% increase over the previous record. A slope efficiency of 6.76% was also attained, indicating a 7% enhancement. Furthermore, the employment of four rods enabled sustained laser operation for 112 s without reliance on solar tracking assistance. This performance was observed around local solar noon, during which the focal zone underwent a displacement of 0.80° in the azimuthal direction and 0.09° in the altitudinal direction. These outcomes indicate that multirod solar laser systems that involve Fresnel lenses can still be competitive with those employing parabolic mirrors while also being economically advantageous.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96239-5Ce:Nd:YAGFresnel lensMultimodeMultirodSolar laserSolar tracking error
spellingShingle Hugo Costa
Dawei Liang
Joana Almeida
Bruno D. Tibúrcio
Cláudia R. Vistas
Four-Ce:Nd:YAG-rod solar laser with 4.49% conversion efficiency through Fresnel lens
Scientific Reports
Ce:Nd:YAG
Fresnel lens
Multimode
Multirod
Solar laser
Solar tracking error
title Four-Ce:Nd:YAG-rod solar laser with 4.49% conversion efficiency through Fresnel lens
title_full Four-Ce:Nd:YAG-rod solar laser with 4.49% conversion efficiency through Fresnel lens
title_fullStr Four-Ce:Nd:YAG-rod solar laser with 4.49% conversion efficiency through Fresnel lens
title_full_unstemmed Four-Ce:Nd:YAG-rod solar laser with 4.49% conversion efficiency through Fresnel lens
title_short Four-Ce:Nd:YAG-rod solar laser with 4.49% conversion efficiency through Fresnel lens
title_sort four ce nd yag rod solar laser with 4 49 conversion efficiency through fresnel lens
topic Ce:Nd:YAG
Fresnel lens
Multimode
Multirod
Solar laser
Solar tracking error
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96239-5
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