A new class of optical designs is developed for attaining ultrahigh flux in infrared and solar energy concentrators. These concentrators are required to satisfy simultaneously three criteria: (1) being monolithic, i.e., comprising a single piece of dielectric such that no mirrored surfaces or air spaces between concentrator elements are introduced; (2) attaining at least 90% of the thermodynamic limit to concentration; and (3) being relatively compact, e.g., aspect ratios of the order of unity or less. Our inventions are rooted in the recently developed formalism of tailored edge-ray concentrators.
Origin
Unknown
Journal Title
Applied Optics 35 34 1996 6684-6691 Dx.Doi.org/10.1364/Ao.35.006684
Sector
Special Glass
Class
S 3821