Open AccessHigh-efficiency free-form condenser overcoming rotational symmetry limitations
Author(s) -
Juan C. Miñano,
Pablo Benı́tez,
José Blen,
Asunción Santamaría
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.020193
Subject(s) - condenser (optics) , optics , rotational symmetry , power (physics) , symmetry (geometry) , physics , brass , arc (geometry) , materials science , engineering , mechanics , light source , mathematics , geometry , mechanical engineering , quantum mechanics , copper , metallurgy
Conventional condensers using rotational symmetric devices perform far from their theoretical limits when transferring optical power from sources such as arc lamps or halogen bulbs to the rectangular entrance of homogenizing prisms (target). We present a free-form condenser design (calculated with the SMS method) that overcomes the limitations inherent to rotational devices and can send to the target 1.8 times the power sent by an equivalent elliptical condenser for a 4:1 target aspect ratio and 1.5 times for 16:9 target and for practical values of target etendue.