RETRACTED: Optimizing light absorption and emission in thermophotovoltaics: A study of tungsten–hafnium dioxide metamaterials

Abstract

This study presents a theoretical investigation into the spectral performance of a metamaterial structure composed of tungsten (W) and hafnium dioxide (HfO2) layers, which are specifically designed for applications in energy conversion. The proposed metamaterial, which is structured in a multilayer W/HfO2/W configuration, aims to increase light absorption and emission characteristics at targeted wavelengths, thereby improving the efficacy of thermophotovoltaic systems. By utilizing advanced simulation techniques, we analyze the optical properties of the metamaterial, focusing on its ability to achieve high spectral efficiency through tailored emission and absorption mechanisms. Our findings indicate that the designed metamaterial has an average emissivity exceeding 96% in the wavelength range of 0.3–2.2 μm, peaking at 99.9% within the 1.5–2.0 μm range, as evidenced by numerical simulations. Furthermore, significant enhancements in spectral efficiency were observed, reaching optimal values at wavelengths corresponding to the bandgap energy of the targeted InGaAsSb photovoltaic materials. Additionally, the metamaterial maintains high emissivity across a wide range of incident angles (0°–60°) and is insensitive to the polarization of incident light. This investigation underscores the potential of W/HfO2/W metamaterials in advancing energy conversion technologies, highlighting their promising role in enhancing the performance of future thermophotovoltaic devices. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of metamaterial design principles and their implications for efficient energy harvesting systems. AIP Publishing retracted this article on December 22, 2025, due to a high frequency of tortured phrases.