A HIGH-GAIN, COMPACT, NONIMAGING CONCENTRATOR - RXI

The design procedure of a new nonimaging concentrator (called an RXI) is explained. Rays that impinge on the concentrator aperture, within t he acceptance angle, are directed to the receiver by means of one refr action, one reflection, and one total internal reflection. The concent rator can be made as a single dielectric piece (in which the receiver is immersed) whose aspect ratio (thickness/aperture diameter) is close to 1/3. Ray-tracing analysis of a rotational symmetric RXI shows tota l transmissions of greater than 94.5% (no absorption or reflection los ses are considered) when the acceptance angle of the incoming rays is small ( < 3 degrees) and when the receiver area is the smallest possib le (maximal concentration.) (C) 1995 Optical Society of America