Abstract

We present an integral design method for maximizing concentration onto a given absorber shape. This technique uses a variable-acceptance edge-ray principle to transform nonuniform input and output radiance distributions. It easily recovers familiar designs that transform uniform radiance distributions. The method is simpler to use and more general than previous nonimaging design techniques, such as string methods and flow-line approaches. We show how this technique is adapted to satisfy diverse boundary conditions, such as satisfying total internal reflection or design within a material of graded index. Presented are an analytic solution to the classic θ₁–θ₂ concentrator and a novel two-stage, two-dimensional solar collector with a fixed circular primary mirror and nonimaging secondary. This newly developed secondary provides a 25% improvement in concentration over conventional nonimaging secondaries.

© 1996 Optical Society of America

Complementary construction of ideal nonimaging concentrators and its applications

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