The idea of transmitting power by laser is not a new one, but a major challenge is that blasting a receiver with high-intensity light causes it to rapidly heat up. This can cause conversion efficiency to plummet and ultimately damage the receiver, and so the researchers set out to create a receiver robust enough for long duration power transmission.

The team turned to cesium lead bromide perovskite, which is particularly stable, making it suitable for high temperatures and prolonged irradiation. Perovskites generally are lower cost and easier to manufacture compared to other photovoltaic materials. They also have high absorption rates.

The researchers stacked the perovskite layer on top of a carbon electrode that collects the current generated by the perovskite, with a thermoelectric layer below that generates electricity from waste heat produced when the laser is trained on the receiver. The work was detailed in a paper published 29 July in Matter & Light.