Piezoelectric generator driven by enhanced light pressure

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel light-pressure electric generator that amplifies radiation pressure using surface plasmon effects and microvoid structures to efficiently convert light pressure into electrical energy, offering a new approach for powering IoT devices.

Contribution

The paper presents a new type of piezoelectric generator driven by amplified light pressure using surface plasmon and microvoid structures, differing from conventional methods.

Findings

Successfully fabricated the generator with a thin PZT film on a microvoid-structured GaAs surface.

Demonstrated amplification of radiation pressure via surface plasmon effects.

Potential for versatile, cost-effective energy harvesting for IoT applications.

Abstract

A light-pressure electric generator (LPEG) is reported that converts amplified radiation pressure into electrical energy. Its underlying principle differs from that of conventional piezoelectric power generation. The generator was fabricated by coating a thin Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 film on a wet-chemical-etched microvoid-shaped structure on the surface of a GaAs wafer and then depositing platinum. The surface plasmon phenomenon of the precious metal and the microvoid structure caused the radiation pressure to be amplified sufficiently to stimulate the piezoelectric material. This method provides versatile and cost-effective energy harvesting and represents a potentially useful new way of powering the Internet of Things devices.