Thermodynamics of light concentrators

Harald Ries; Greg P. Smestad; Roland Winston

doi:10.1117/12.49126

24 October 1991 Thermodynamics of light concentrators

Harald Ries, Greg P. Smestad, Roland Winston

Proceedings Volume 1528, Nonimaging Optics: Maximum Efficiency Light Transfer; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.49126
Event: San Diego, '91, 1991, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Concentrators based on geometrical optics increase the irradiance by increasing the projected solid angle, but conserve the radiance of radiation. The general principle for increasing the radiance, and thereby concentrating even diffuse radiation, resembles a light trap. Light, which enters the trap through a selective filter, is shifted in photon energy, for example, by a Stokes luminescent process. It is subsequently trapped because it is reflected by the filter. Concentration is limited, in the ideal case, by the reverse (anti-Stokes) process, which reaches equilibrium when incoming and concentrated radiation reach equal chemical potential. The laser is discussed as an example for a concentration not limited by thermodynamics. The limits imposed by quantum mechanics are derived. Real systems, with various losses, are discussed.

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Harald Ries, Greg P. Smestad, and Roland Winston "Thermodynamics of light concentrators", Proc. SPIE 1528, Nonimaging Optics: Maximum Efficiency Light Transfer, (24 October 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.49126

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