Reflectors for uniform far–field irradiance: Fundamental limits and example of an axisymmetric solution

J. M. Gordon, Ari Rabl

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    29 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    We establish a fundamental bound on the field of view over which strictly uniform far–field irradiance can be achieved in symmetric two-dimensional (2D, troughlike) and three–dimensional (3D, conelike) illumination systems. Earlier results derived for particular 2D devices are shown to be special cases of the general formula. For a rotationally symmetric 3D luminaire with a Lambertian disk light source and a prescribed uniform core region half–angle θc, no more than tan2c) can be projected within a uniform core region. Hence the efficiency with which such illuminators can produce uniform flux is severely limited for many problems of practical interest. Guided by the tailored edge–ray device formalism for the design of 2D luminaires, we develop a 3D reflector that produces extremely uniform far–field illuminance.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)44-47
    Number of pages4
    JournalApplied Optics
    Volume37
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1 Jan 1998

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
    • Engineering (miscellaneous)
    • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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