Thermodynamic performance bounds for radiative heat engines

Heat engines capable of delivering both high power output and high efficiency are earnestly sought after, but a fundamental trade-off generally exists between the two metrics. This study highlights the exact nature of this trade-off for engines that exchange heat radiatively with a hot source. The authors also show that this trade-off is less restrictive compared to linear heat engines, especially at high temperatures. This work is particularly relevant for thermophotovoltaics, offering a complete characterization of their performance bounds.