Abstract

The shape of axisymmetric mirrors capable of producing a constant concentrated flux density along a coaxial cylindrical surface is determined via both a series solution and a phase plane analysis of the governing second-order nonlinear differential equation. It is shown that there exists a class of such concentrators and that they all have a characteristic bell shape with two finite principal radii of curvature. Mirrors of this type may find application in processes requiring concentrated uniform illumination over extended areas such as in photovoltaic energy conversion.

© 1980 Optical Society of America

Reduction of intensity variations on the absorbers of ideal flux concentrators

Peretz Greenman
Appl. Opt. 19(16) 2812-2821 (1980)

Irradiance on the receiver of a general optical concentrator

Russell P. Patera
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 70(8) 986-990 (1980)

Caustic surface analysis for a gradient-index lens

George L. Strobel and David L. Shealy
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 70(10) 1264-1269 (1980)

Seventh-order design of a reflecting optical system

Winston L. Thompson and J. Ernest Wilkins
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 70(2) 253-256 (1980)

Design of nonimaging concentrators as second stages in tandem with image-forming first-stage concentrators

R. Winston and W. T. Welford
Appl. Opt. 19(3) 347-351 (1980)