Limit of concentration for cylindrical concentrators under extended light sources.
Cylindrical concentrators illuminated by an extended source with an arbitrary distribution of radiance are analyzed taking into account basic properties derived from the Fermat principle and not from the specific concentrator shape. The upper limit of concentration achievable with this type of concentrator is obtained and it is found to be lower than that of general (3-D) concentrators. Cylindrical compound parabolic concentrators are analyzed in the light of this theory, and it is shown that they achieve the highest optical concentration possible for a cylindrical concentrator.
Miñano
J C
JC
Universidad Politecnica, Instituto de Energia Solar, Madrid-3, Spain.
Luque
A
A