Symmetrical and asymmetrical ideal cylindrical radiation transformers and concentrators

Abstract

Ideal cylindrical radiation transformers and concentrators are examined in both asymmetrical and symmetrical forms. Symmetrical ideal transformers are found to give the lowest peak concentration for a given angle of acceptance. Average concentration for uniform diffuse radiation or a distant point source of constant apparent angular velocity is found to be independent of the symmetry of the transformer; for an apparently accelerating source such as the sun, however, an asymmetrical transformer can give higher performance than a symmetrical unit when averaged over time.