Light as a source of electricity

[Deadevil]

Hello Dear Fellows!
We all know that light is an electromagnetic wave and also we know that an antenna receives EM waves and convert it into electrical energy. My question is that is it possible for any specially design antenna to receive Light as a source of EM waves and convert into electrical energy. Which will be a continuous and cheap source of electricity. Please be positive for replying this answer.Waiting for your Reply.

Thanks
Faisal

 

[SteamKing]

It's called a solar cell.

 

[Deadevil]

Reply to Steam KIng

Thanks for Replying Steam King. But i think solar cells work on the principle of photoelectric effect whereas antenna work on the principle of Faraday law of Induction.Correct me If I am wrong.
Thanks again Steam KIng

 

[Popper]

Thanks for Replying Steam King. But i think solar cells work on the principle of photoelectric effect whereas antenna work on the principle of Faraday law of Induction.Correct me If I am wrong.
Thanks again Steam KIng

I believe that he gave that answer based on the fact that you were using the terms light and electromagnetic wave in the same sentance. You see, light refers to a particlular band within the EM spectrum. EM waves in that spectrum can be changed to EM waves more efficiently and much more easily using devices where quantum effects are dominant. You then said that you wanted to know if light could design an antenna to receive Light as a source of EM waves and convert into electrical energy. The answer is no because an antenna is a macroscopic device and quantum mechanical interactions can't effect what you're interested in. At least I can't imagine any such device. I also don't think that photo cells use the photoelectric effect.

 

[256bits]

DeadEvil
Yes you can do that but the power conversion might be lacking to make it a cheap powerful source of electricity.

See
http://www.techlib.com/electronics/crystal.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_radio
for a Simple Crystal Radio that does not need a battery, but the volume of the sound output is not all that great.

 

[Dale]

Thanks for Replying Steam King. But i think solar cells work on the principle of photoelectric effect whereas antenna work on the principle of Faraday law of Induction.

A photovoltaic cell will be much more efficient at visible wavelengths than any form of antenna you could produce. If you want "Light as a source of electricity" as in the title of the thread, then you want photovoltaics.

 

[nsaspook]

Thanks for Replying Steam King. But i think solar cells work on the principle of photoelectric effect whereas antenna work on the principle of Faraday law of Induction.Correct me If I am wrong.
Thanks again Steam KIng

Efficient direct rectification of light frequency em waves should be 'possible' with special nano-scale structures and diodes.

http://www.inl.gov/technicalpublications/Documents/3992778.pdf
http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/02/nanoantenna-array-could-be-vast-improvement-over-silicon

 

[Dale]

Efficient direct rectification of light frequency em waves should be 'possible' with special nano-scale structures and diodes.

http://www.inl.gov/technicalpublications/Documents/3992778.pdf
http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/02/nanoantenna-array-could-be-vast-improvement-over-silicon

Interesting! Thanks.

 

[nsaspook]

Interesting! Thanks.

Of course we are only using electronics to mimic what nature has been doing for billions of years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-harvesting_complexes_of_green_plants