Variable-spectrum solar simulator

Variable-spectrum solar simulator for characterising photovoltaic cells, concentration modules or solar concentration optics, from which extend a wide spectrum radiation source or a combination of several sources adapted to illuminate a slit or slits (A, B, . . . ) or other openings, the set of source openings (102) being the ones that constitute the aperture diaphragm (A.D.) of the system or primary source (102);

• that primary source (102) is subjected to collimation (103);
• after collimation, this beam is passed through a dispersing element (chromatically) (104) that deflects the beam differently for each wavelength;
• an optical system (105) then projects an image (106) of the primary source (102) (or Exit Pupil (E.P.) of the system), but separated spectrally;
• in the area where the image is formed and the spectrum of the primary source is spatially distributed, a spatial mask (107) or an active device is placed such as a DMA (Digital Mirror Array), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), LCOS (LC On Silicon) or any other device that allows selective passage of light point by point, which allows that when acting with a spatial filtering it is translated into a custom-made spectral filtering characterized in that after this device is placed a collecting optics which, through a mirror or other remixing optics (108), applies the principle of reversibility making the light coming back in the opposite direction (along the same path or with a slightly misaligned trajectory) and forming a secondary light or source (110) that has the desired spectrum (through the dispersing element (104) and the optical system (105)) and that also has the angular properties sought (thanks to the remixing mirror (108) or equivalent optics and on its way back or equivalent in trajectory through the same chromatic disperser from the forward path (104) or equivalent).