Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Complete and reversible absorption of radiation

  • Invited Papers
  • Published:
Applied Physics B Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Kirchhoff's law has caused confusion in the discussion about the theoretical maximum work from radiation because it permits only infinitesimal or irreversible absorption. With the aid of an optical circulator, non-Kirchhoff behaviour is possible in principle which permits at the same time complete and reversible radiation absorption. The key to overcome Kirchhoff's law seems to be the magnetic field, a condition explicitly excluded by Kirchhoff. The work extracted in complete reversible conversion of radiation is calculated. The irreversibilities connected with the emission process are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. G. Kirchhoff: Ann. Phys.19, 275–301 (1860)

    Google Scholar 

  2. S.M. Jeter: Solar Energy26, 231 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  3. P.T. Landsberg: Proc. 7th Int. Conf. Photobiol. Rome (1976)

  4. P.T. Landsberg: Photochem. Photobiol.26, 313 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  5. A. De Vos, H. Pauwels: Appl. Phys.25, 119 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  6. P.C. Fletcher, D.L. Weismann: Appl. Opt.4, 867 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  7. W. Ribbens, D. Stodolsky, D. Gilepsie: Appl. Opt.6, 581 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  8. C.B. Crumly: Appl. Opt.6, 1277 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  9. W. Ribbens: Appl. Opt.6, 1277 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  10. S. Carnot:Réflexions sur la puissance motrice du feu et sur les machines propres a développer cette puissance (Gauthier-Villars, Paris 1878) pp. 10–12

    Google Scholar 

  11. M. Planck: Ann. Phys.4, 553–563 (1901)

    Google Scholar 

  12. D. Landau, E.M. Lifshitz:Statistical Physics (Adison-Wesley, Reading, MA 1969) Sect. V

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sektion Physik der Universität München, Amalienstrasse 54, D-8000, München 40, Fed. Rep. Germany

    H. Ries

Authors
  1. H. Ries
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ries, H. Complete and reversible absorption of radiation. Appl. Phys. B 32, 153–156 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00688821

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00688821

PACS

Search

Navigation