Optical Power Converters based on SiC for space applications: the RePowerSiC initiative

A. García-Loureiro; N. Seoane; J. Fernández-Lozano; P. J. Wellmann; A. Holm Dubre; A. Arora; Haiyan Ou; M. Peralta-Fuentes; P. Sanmartín; F. Almonacid; E. F. Fernández

doi:10.1109/LAEDC65721.2025.11289012

Optical Power Converters based on SiC for space applications: the RePowerSiC initiative

A. García-Loureiro
, N. Seoane
, J. Fernández-Lozano
, P. J. Wellmann
, A. Holm Dubre
, A. Arora
, Haiyan Ou
, M. Peralta-Fuentes
, P. Sanmartín
, F. Almonacid
, E. F. Fernández

Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg
University of Jaén

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Article in proceedings › Research › peer-review

Abstract

The RePowerSiC project has the potential to advance high-power energy transmission technologies for space-based applications. The objective is to develop innovative, ultra-efficient Optical Power Converters (OPCs) using silicon carbide (SiC) for in-space energy transfer at power densities reaching kW/cm2, with conversion efficiencies exceeding 80% over extremely long distances. These OPCs leverage various SiC polytypes, wide bandgap materials known for their exceptional thermal conductivity and radiation resistance. Such properties help reduce series resistance and intrinsic entropic losses in the photovoltaic receivers. Early findings suggest that SiC-based OPCs can significantly boost overall efficiency, enhance power density by an order of magnitude, and expand the potential use cases for high-power optical transmission systems.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of 2025 IEEE Latin American Electron Devices Conference
Number of pages	4
Publisher	IEEE
Pages	1-4
Article number	11289012
ISBN (Print)	979-8-3315-1525-6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/LAEDC65721.2025.11289012
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 2026
Event	2025 IEEE Latin American Electron Devices Conference - Guadalajara , Mexico Duration: 8 Oct 2025 → 10 Oct 2025

Conference

Conference	2025 IEEE Latin American Electron Devices Conference
Country/Territory	Mexico
City	Guadalajara
Period	08/10/2025 → 10/10/2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

Power system measurements
Silicon carbide
Density measurement
Ultraviolet sources
Thermal resistance
Optical device fabrication
Electron optics
Thermal conductivity
Optical receivers
Optical materials

Access to Document

10.1109/LAEDC65721.2025.11289012

Cite this

García-Loureiro, A., Seoane, N., Fernández-Lozano, J., Wellmann, P. J., Dubre, A. H., Arora, A., Ou, H., Peralta-Fuentes, M., Sanmartín, P., Almonacid, F., & Fernández, E. F. (Accepted/In press). Optical Power Converters based on SiC for space applications: the RePowerSiC initiative. In Proceedings of 2025 IEEE Latin American Electron Devices Conference (pp. 1-4). Article 11289012 IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/LAEDC65721.2025.11289012

@inproceedings{91d2f8d0dc7e45009d5f071991d4be8d,

title = "Optical Power Converters based on SiC for space applications: the RePowerSiC initiative",

abstract = "The RePowerSiC project has the potential to advance high-power energy transmission technologies for space-based applications. The objective is to develop innovative, ultra-efficient Optical Power Converters (OPCs) using silicon carbide (SiC) for in-space energy transfer at power densities reaching kW/cm2, with conversion efficiencies exceeding 80\% over extremely long distances. These OPCs leverage various SiC polytypes, wide bandgap materials known for their exceptional thermal conductivity and radiation resistance. Such properties help reduce series resistance and intrinsic entropic losses in the photovoltaic receivers. Early findings suggest that SiC-based OPCs can significantly boost overall efficiency, enhance power density by an order of magnitude, and expand the potential use cases for high-power optical transmission systems.",

keywords = "Power system measurements, Silicon carbide, Density measurement, Ultraviolet sources, Thermal resistance, Optical device fabrication, Electron optics, Thermal conductivity, Optical receivers, Optical materials",

author = "A. Garc{\'i}a-Loureiro and N. Seoane and J. Fern{\'a}ndez-Lozano and Wellmann, \{P. J.\} and Dubre, \{A. Holm\} and A. Arora and Haiyan Ou and M. Peralta-Fuentes and P. Sanmart{\'i}n and F. Almonacid and Fern{\'a}ndez, \{E. F.\}",

year = "2026",

doi = "10.1109/LAEDC65721.2025.11289012",

language = "English",

isbn = "979-8-3315-1525-6",

pages = "1--4",

booktitle = "Proceedings of 2025 IEEE Latin American Electron Devices Conference",

publisher = "IEEE",

address = "United States",

note = "2025 IEEE Latin American Electron Devices Conference, LAEDC 2025 ; Conference date: 08-10-2025 Through 10-10-2025",

}

García-Loureiro, A, Seoane, N, Fernández-Lozano, J, Wellmann, PJ, Dubre, AH , Arora, A , Ou, H, Peralta-Fuentes, M, Sanmartín, P, Almonacid, F & Fernández, EF 2026, Optical Power Converters based on SiC for space applications: the RePowerSiC initiative. in Proceedings of 2025 IEEE Latin American Electron Devices Conference., 11289012, IEEE, pp. 1-4, 2025 IEEE Latin American Electron Devices Conference, Guadalajara , Mexico, 08/10/2025. https://doi.org/10.1109/LAEDC65721.2025.11289012

TY - GEN

T1 - Optical Power Converters based on SiC for space applications: the RePowerSiC initiative

AU - García-Loureiro, A.

AU - Seoane, N.

AU - Fernández-Lozano, J.

AU - Wellmann, P. J.

AU - Dubre, A. Holm

AU - Arora, A.

AU - Ou, Haiyan

AU - Peralta-Fuentes, M.

AU - Sanmartín, P.

AU - Almonacid, F.

AU - Fernández, E. F.

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - The RePowerSiC project has the potential to advance high-power energy transmission technologies for space-based applications. The objective is to develop innovative, ultra-efficient Optical Power Converters (OPCs) using silicon carbide (SiC) for in-space energy transfer at power densities reaching kW/cm2, with conversion efficiencies exceeding 80% over extremely long distances. These OPCs leverage various SiC polytypes, wide bandgap materials known for their exceptional thermal conductivity and radiation resistance. Such properties help reduce series resistance and intrinsic entropic losses in the photovoltaic receivers. Early findings suggest that SiC-based OPCs can significantly boost overall efficiency, enhance power density by an order of magnitude, and expand the potential use cases for high-power optical transmission systems.

AB - The RePowerSiC project has the potential to advance high-power energy transmission technologies for space-based applications. The objective is to develop innovative, ultra-efficient Optical Power Converters (OPCs) using silicon carbide (SiC) for in-space energy transfer at power densities reaching kW/cm2, with conversion efficiencies exceeding 80% over extremely long distances. These OPCs leverage various SiC polytypes, wide bandgap materials known for their exceptional thermal conductivity and radiation resistance. Such properties help reduce series resistance and intrinsic entropic losses in the photovoltaic receivers. Early findings suggest that SiC-based OPCs can significantly boost overall efficiency, enhance power density by an order of magnitude, and expand the potential use cases for high-power optical transmission systems.

KW - Power system measurements

KW - Silicon carbide

KW - Density measurement

KW - Ultraviolet sources

KW - Thermal resistance

KW - Optical device fabrication

KW - Electron optics

KW - Thermal conductivity

KW - Optical receivers

KW - Optical materials

U2 - 10.1109/LAEDC65721.2025.11289012

DO - 10.1109/LAEDC65721.2025.11289012

M3 - Article in proceedings

SN - 979-8-3315-1525-6

SP - 1

EP - 4

BT - Proceedings of 2025 IEEE Latin American Electron Devices Conference

PB - IEEE

T2 - 2025 IEEE Latin American Electron Devices Conference

Y2 - 8 October 2025 through 10 October 2025

ER -

Optical Power Converters based on SiC for space applications: the RePowerSiC initiative

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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