Light concentration apparatus, systems and methods
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsRoland Winston, Weiya Zhang, Kevin Michael Balkoski
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Abstract
An optical device is disclosed including: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture. The non-imaging secondary concentrator includes: a first portion proximal the entry aperture; and a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about an optic axis. The optical device further comprises a means for homogenizing the light focused onto the entry aperture of the secondary concentrator.
Claims48
An optical device, comprising:
- a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture, wherein the non-imaging secondary concentrator comprises:
- a first portion proximal the entry aperture;
- and
- a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about an optic axis;
- and
- further comprising a means for homogenizing the light focused onto the entry aperture of the secondary concentrator.
An optical device, comprising:
- a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture, wherein the non-imaging secondary concentrator comprises:
- a first portion proximal the entry aperture;
- and
- a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about an optic axis;
- and
- a receiver located proximal to the exit aperture of the secondary concentrator;
- wherein the optical device satisfies at least one of the following conditions:
- (a) the device further comprises the primary focusing element, the primary focusing element having an f-number that is greater than about 0.9;
- and
- (b) wherein the secondary concentrator has an f-number of 1.0 or less.
An optical device, comprising:
- a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture;
- wherein the non-imaging secondary concentrator comprises:
- a first portion proximal the entry aperture;
- and
- a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about an optic axis,
- wherein the secondary concentrator includes a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC);
- wherein the first portion of the non-imaging secondary concentrator comprises a spherical or aspheric-shaped entrance aperture, and
- wherein the primary focusing element includes a Fresnel reflector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.