초록 ▼

An optical device is disclosed including: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture. The non-imaging secondary concentrator includes: a first portion

An optical device is disclosed including: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture. The non-imaging secondary concentrator includes: a first portion proximal the entry aperture; and a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about an optic axis. The optical device further comprises a means for homogenizing the light focused onto the entry aperture of the secondary concentrator.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An optical device, comprising: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture, wherein the non-imaging secondary concentrator comprises: a first portion

1. An optical device, comprising: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture, wherein the non-imaging secondary concentrator comprises: a first portion proximal the entry aperture; anda second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about an optic axis; andfurther comprising a means for homogenizing the light focused onto the entry aperture of the secondary concentrator. 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a receiver located proximal to the exit aperture of the secondary concentrator. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the receiver is optically coupled to the exit aperture of the secondary concentrator. 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the second portion extends and tapers along the optic axis from a wide end proximal the first portion to a narrow end comprising the exit aperture. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the shape of the exit aperture corresponds to the shape of the receiver. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the receiver is square shaped, and the second portion of the non-imaging secondary concentrator comprises a truncated substantially square pyramidal portion, which extends and tapers along the optic axis from a wide end proximal the first portion to a narrow end comprising the exit aperture. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the non-imaging secondary concentrator is composed of a transparent dielectric material. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the non-imaging secondary concentrator operates by total internal reflection. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the non-imaging secondary concentrator operates by both total internal reflection and specular reflection. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the secondary concentrator includes a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC). 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the first portion of the non-imaging secondary concentrator comprises a spherical or aspheric-shaped entrance aperture. 12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a means for homogenizing the light focused onto the entry aperture of the secondary concentrator. 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the primary focusing element includes a diffractive lens. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the secondary concentrator includes an angle transformer. 15. The device of claim 1, further comprising the primary focusing element. 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the primary focusing element has an f-number that is greater than about 0.9. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the primary focusing element includes a Fresnel lens. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the Fresnel lens is flat. 19. The device of claim 17, wherein the Fresnel lens is substantially square. 20. The device of claim 17, wherein the Fresnel lens is curved. 21. The device of claim 15, wherein the primary focusing element has an f-number that is greater than about 1.5. 22. The device of claim 15, wherein the primary focusing element includes a Fresnel reflector. 23. The device of claim 15, wherein the primary focusing element includes a diffractive lens. 24. The device of claim 23, wherein the first portion proximal the entry aperture is rotationally symmetric about the optic axis. 25. The device of claim 23, wherein the first potion proximal the entry aperture is squared off or trimmed. 26. The device of claim 23, wherein the entry aperture is substantially square with rounded corners. 27. The device of claim 1, wherein the secondary concentrator has an f-number of 0.5 or less. 28. The device of claim 1, wherein the secondary concentrator has an f-number of 1.0 or less. 29. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion proximal the entry aperture is rotationally symmetric about the optic axis. 30. The device of claim 1, wherein the first potion proximal the entry aperture is squared off or trimmed. 31. The device of claim 1, wherein the entry aperture is substantially square with rounded corners. 32. An optical device, comprising: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture, wherein the non-imaging secondary concentrator comprises: a first portion proximal the entry aperture; anda second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about an optic axis; anda receiver located proximal to the exit aperture of the secondary concentrator;wherein the optical device satisfies at least one of the following conditions: (a) the device further comprises the primary focusing element, the primary focusing element having an f-number that is greater than about 0.9; and(b) wherein the secondary concentrator has an f-number of 1.0 or less. 33. The device of claim 32, the optical device satisfies condition (a). 34. The device of claim 33, wherein the primary focusing element has an f-number that is greater than about 1.5. 35. The device of claim 33, wherein the primary focusing element includes a Fresnel lens. 36. The device of claim 35, wherein the Fresnel lens is flat. 37. The device of claim 35, wherein the Fresnel lens is substantially square. 38. The device of claim 35, wherein the Fresnel lens is curved. 39. The device of claim 38, wherein the primary focusing element includes a diffractive lens. 40. The device of claim 33, wherein the first portion proximal the entry aperture is rotationally symmetric about the optic axis. 41. The device of claim 33, wherein the first potion proximal the entry aperture is squared off or trimmed. 42. The device of claim 33, wherein the entry aperture is substantially square with rounded corners. 43. The device of claim 32, wherein the device satisfies condition (b). 44. The device of claim 32, wherein the secondary concentrator has an f-number of 0.5 or less. 45. The device of claim 32, wherein the first portion proximal the entry aperture is rotationally symmetric about the optic axis. 46. The device of claim 32, wherein the first potion proximal the entry aperture is squared off or trimmed. 47. The device of claim 32, wherein the entry aperture is substantially square with rounded corners. 48. An optical device, comprising: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture;wherein the non-imaging secondary concentrator comprises: a first portion proximal the entry aperture; anda second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about an optic axis,wherein the secondary concentrator includes a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC);wherein the first portion of the non-imaging secondary concentrator comprises a spherical or aspheric-shaped entrance aperture, andwherein the primary focusing element includes a Fresnel reflector.