  We present optimized aperiodic structures for use as broadband thermal
incandescent emitters which are capable of increasing the emittance by nearly a
factor of two over the visible wavelength range when compared to bulk tungsten.
These aperiodic multilayer structures are designed with alternating layers of
tungsten and air or tungsten and silicon carbide on top of a tungsten
substrate. We investigate the properties of these structures for use as
lightbulb filaments. We find that these structures greatly enhance the
emittance over the visible wavelength range, while also increasing the overall
efficiency of the bulb and could lead to a decrease in incandescent lightbulb
power consumption by nearly 50%.
