Multi-Stage Light Ray Concentrator for Wide-Angle Diffuse Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices are not optimized for collimating and concentrating light rays arriving from diffuse or unknown directions, particularly those with wide ranges of incident angles, which limits their effectiveness in applications such as architectural lighting and power generation.
Innovation Solution
The optical device incorporates a host medium with embedded thin film structures, arranged in multiple stages with varying aspect ratios and refractive indices, to refract and reflect light rays, reducing their angle range from input to output, allowing for efficient collimation and concentration of light regardless of the direction or angle of incidence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional optical devices are used for collimating light, then they work for known and well-oriented light sources, but they fail to effectively collimate and concentrate light rays arriving from diffuse or unknown directions with wide ranges of incident angles
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device is divided into multiple stages, with each stage containing an array of structures that progressively collimate light rays. Each stage processes a specific angular range, allowing the device to handle wide incident angle ranges from diffuse sources effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
Different stages of the optical device have different structural properties (varying aspect ratios and indices of refraction) optimized for specific angular ranges. This local optimization allows each stage to effectively process light rays within its designated angular range, collectively handling diffuse light from all directions.
2Manufacturing precision
If optical devices are designed for specific incident angles, then they achieve good collimation for those angles, but they cannot handle wide ranges of incident angles from diffuse sources
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device uses multiple stages with varying structural parameters (aspect ratios and indices of refraction) that are optimized for different angular ranges. This dynamic design allows the device to maintain high collimation precision across a wide spectrum of incident angles by progressively processing rays through stages tuned to specific angular bands.
Solution Approach 2:
Each stage of the optical device has different structural parameters (aspect ratio, index of refraction) that are specifically tuned to handle particular angular ranges. By changing these parameters across stages, the device achieves both precise collimation for each angular band and comprehensive coverage of wide incident angle ranges from diffuse sources.
3Productivity
If multiple stages with varying aspect ratios and refractive indices are used, then wide ranges of incident angles are effectively reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex task of collimating wide-angle diffuse light is segmented into multiple stages, each handling a specific angular range. This segmentation allows the device to achieve high light concentration efficiency by progressively narrowing the angular range at each stage, while the modular structure makes the complexity manageable through repetition of similar structural units with varying parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical device uses the same basic structural unit (array of structures with specific aspect ratios and indices of refraction) across multiple stages, but varies the parameters to handle different angular ranges. This universal approach allows a single design concept to serve multiple functions across different stages, achieving high efficiency while controlling complexity through parameter variation rather than fundamentally different structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the optical device to effectively collimate and concentrate light, providing consistent and efficient illumination or energy capture, even with variable or diffuse light sources, offering a lower profile, cost-effective alternative to traditional tracking mechanisms in architectural and power generation applications.
Implementation Method 1
The structures may be formed of a material with a lower index of refraction than that of the host medium... refract and reflect light rays, reducing their angle range from input to output
Implementation Method 2
refract and reflect light rays, reducing their angle range from input to output
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device and systems using an optical device are provided, where the optical device may be configured for collimating incoming light rays. The optical device may include a host medium substantially comprised of a transparent material and an array of substantially transparent structures embedded within the host medium. The structures of the array each include a convex side presented to the incoming light rays and a concave side that passes light rays through toward the output face of the host medium, collimating the rays. Multiple stages of arrays may be provided in the optical device, typically with lengthening aspect ratios and increasing indexes of refraction in a direction from the input face toward the output face. The systems may use the optical device for using an exterior light to illuminate an interior space in a building or to generate power.