New vistas in solar concentration with gradient-index optics

Panagiotis Kotsidas; Vijay Modi; Jeffrey M. Gordon

doi:10.1117/12.893066

21 September 2011 New vistas in solar concentration with gradient-index optics

Panagiotis Kotsidas, Vijay Modi, Jeffrey M. Gordon

Proceedings Volume 8124, Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Solar Concentration VIII; 81240A (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.893066
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Certain classes of gradient-index lenses can achieve both perfect imaging and flux concentration at the fundamental limits. Although useful in microwave technology, eponymous Luneburg lenses have been viewed as esoteric idealizations for visible and near-infrared radiation due to the paucity of suitable materials and fabrication methods. We show that the classic Luneburg problem was constrained in subtle, implicit ways that can be relaxed. With the extra degrees of freedom, we demonstrate new gradient-index profiles that can accommodate both realistic, readily available materials and existing manufacturing technologies, while compromising neither perfect imaging nor maximum concentration (confirmed by raytrace simulation) - thereby opening new vistas for solar concentration and other visible and near-infrared applications. Specifically, the broader genres of solutions identified here permit a far smaller range of refractive indices than previously believed, with minimum required refractive index values well above unity, at arbitrary lens f-number, with less sensitivity to dispersion losses than conventional lenses.

Citation Download Citation

Panagiotis Kotsidas, Vijay Modi, and Jeffrey M. Gordon "New vistas in solar concentration with gradient-index optics", Proc. SPIE 8124, Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Solar Concentration VIII, 81240A (21 September 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.893066

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available