Reaching optimal efficiencies using nano-sized photo-electric devices

TL;DR

This paper investigates the thermodynamic efficiency of nano-sized photo-electric devices, demonstrating that their maximum power efficiency approaches a bound similar to the Curzon-Ahlborn limit, achievable under strong coupling conditions.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical analysis showing the efficiency bounds of nano-sized photo-electric devices and identifies conditions for attaining maximum efficiency.

Findings

Efficiency at maximum power is bounded near the Curzon-Ahlborn limit.

Strong coupling between electron and photon fluxes enables reaching the efficiency bound.

Nano-sized devices can theoretically achieve optimal thermodynamic efficiency.

Abstract

We study the thermodynamic efficiency of a nano-sized photo-electric device and show that at maximum power output, the efficiency is bounded from above by a result closely related to the Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency. We find that this upper bound can be attained in nano-sized devices displaying strong coupling between the generated electron flux and the incoming photon flux from the sun.