Temporal coupled-mode theory model for resonant near-field thermophotovoltaics

A temporal Coupled-Mode Theory model is developed to predict performance of resonant near-field ThermoPhotoVoltaic systems, which typically requires numerically intensive calculations. It is formulated for both orthogonal and non-orthogonal (coupled) modes and includes load-voltage dependencies and non-idealities, such as background absorption and radiation losses. Its good accuracy is confirmed by comparing with exact transfer-matrix calculations for two simple planar systems: a plasmonic emitter across a bulk semiconductor absorber and a metal-backed thin-film semiconductor emitter across an identical absorber