Optical system using tailored imaging designs

摘要

Ultra-compact concentrators and illuminators that approach the thermodynamic limit to optical performance can be realized with purely imaging strategies. Two-stage reflector systems where each optical surface is tailored to eliminate one order of aberration-so-called aplantic designs are described. The contours are monotonic functions that can be expressed analytically-important in facilitating optimization studies and practical fabrication. The radiative performance of the devices presented herein is competitive with, and even superior to, that of high-flux nonimaging systems. Sample results of practical value in solar concentration and light collimation are presented for systems that cover a wide range of numerical aperture.