DE102016015558A1 - Apparatus and method for increasing the energy density of radiation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for increasing the energy density of light or other radiation, designed as an optical arrangement (1) comprising at least one optical refraction device (3) and a concentrator device (4), wherein in the optical arrangement (1) the optical Refraction means (3) for divergence adjustment, as well as the spatial and temporal repositioning (15) of components of the spatial angle (9) and a beam exit surface (14) incident light (17) or other radiation in the form of a prism-shaped wedge (13) and the Concentrator (4) is arranged so that by the Konzentratoreinrichtung (4) from the refraction device (3) exiting spatially split light or the radiation is reflected, concentrated, spatially and temporally superimposed, so that the light / radiation with a reduced radiation space the concentrator device (4) emerges. ()

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for spatial and temporal superimposition of light or other radiation by an optical arrangement.

In geometric optics, light is represented as a set of rays of light propagating away from a light source in a particular direction. The light rays are in a defined spatial and temporal relationship to each other, which results from their individual directions of propagation. Thus, the propagation of light may be parallel, divergent or convergent due to the individual propagation directions of the light rays. Optical arrangements serve to adapt or change the geometric and physical properties of light. For example, lens systems can be used to make a bundle of parallel beams of light convergent to a bundle focused on the focal point of the lens and diverging behind the focus. Furthermore, mirrors can change the propagation direction of light rays and, depending on the shape, for example if they are designed as concave mirrors, also change the divergence of the light. Such optical arrangements are particularly interesting if one wants to concentrate light beams from a plurality of light sources, for example a plurality of lamps, or from a larger area, for example a solar collector, onto a single smaller area.

From the prior art, several ways are known how a concentration of light rays can be realized. For example, concave mirror systems can be arranged to focus light rays impinging on the mirror surface into a single focal point, thus increasing the energy density or irradiance. The field of application of such so-called non-imaging concentrators is usually in solar power plants or photovoltaic systems.

Another way of concentrating light rays is to use a converging lens which focuses light incident on the entrance surface in parallel onto a focal point and thus increases the energy density or the irradiance.

A disadvantage of the aforementioned concentrators is that a beam is always in dependence on its beam space angle to its beam cross section, so that the beam space as such always represents a constant energy quantity. If, in the procedures described here, a ray space angle is changed, its cross section inevitably changes and vice versa.

With this known method of beam bundling is basically no increase in energy of the beam flux by adding radiation possible. That is the object of the invention.

This object is achieved with the features of the device claim 1. A method naming claim 14 Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

With the invention, an apparatus and a method are provided, which make it possible to decouple the beam space angle of its beam cross-section, d. H. On the one hand, a fundamental separation of the ray space angle from the associated ray space cross section and, on the other hand, the introduction of additional radiation into a "constant" ray space, without this changing its size.

The optical method of light beam space reduction described below in combination with the light beam space overlay is representative of any type of radiation and is therefore also applicable to non-optical radiation, such as thermal radiation. For better understanding, light radiation is used below. Furthermore, it is assumed that the radiation is to be understood as a spatial energy quantity which occupies a space in a corresponding time. Different rooms of a period can not be in one place at the same time. Rooms of different periods, on the other hand, can overlap.

The invention is based on the idea that, in a bundle of light beams, the beam cross section with the associated solid angle in an optical arrangement can be changed with respect to its divergence and motion, that this original beam cross section temporally and spatially shifts and due to this shift the individual energy particles can now be superimposed spatially with each other, whereby the light beam space is reduced in its beam cross-section and / or solid angle.

By virtue of this beam space cross-sectional or solid angle reduction in a beam flux, which represents a reduction in beam space, it is now possible in turn to add additional radiation to the reduced beam cross-section or solid angle. Thus, the beam space cross-section or solid angle by this additional radiation, which in this case represents a ray space superposition, again reaches its original output. This allows the Increase the amount of radiation gradually and repeatedly without increasing the radiation space.

definitions:

An optical arrangement refers to a set of optical components arranged to change the physical properties of a light beam. Properties can be, for example, the propagation direction, solid angle change, cross-sectional size or the spatial and temporal relationship to another light beam.

An optical refraction device is an optical element that, due to its refractive index, reflection properties, and geometric shape, alters or redirects the physical properties of radiation. It has the task of splitting a radiation space cross section and its beam space angle temporally and spatially and to reduce or superimpose. For example, an optical element or a mirror may be such a refraction device.

A concentrator device designates an optical element that optimizes temporally and spatially split radiation in its angular function and angular orientation to the exit surface and spatially superimposes them in a beam flow. For example, a concave mirror or an optical element having a higher refractive index than the optical refraction device may be such a concentrator device.

The light beam space represents a quantity of light of radiation which is in a room size. The room size is defined by its solid angle and room cross section.

A light beam space reduction takes place when a spatial cross-section decreases without changing the associated solid angle, when a solid angle decreases without changing the associated spatial cross-section or in combination of both variants, each with the same amount of radiation.

A Lichtstrahlenraumüberlagerung takes place when several light beam spaces are each combined with a separate room in a common beam room, so that spaces with a defined amount of light, each having a solid angle with the corresponding space cross-section, after a ray space overlay only exist in one room, but the entire amount of light of all rooms in this reduced space superimposed. After such an overlay, this amount of light now represents its own light beam space again.

A focusing means denotes an optical element which focuses a plurality of light beams onto a focal point or a focal plane in an optical image receiving manner. For example, a converging lens may be such a focusing device.

A light guide system allows the transport of light rays over a desired distance, for example by means of focusing devices, mirrored hollow bodies or light guides.

A ray exit area is the beam cross section that meets the optical arrangement.

The entrance surface refers to the area through which light enters an optical arrangement.

A prism-shaped wedge or double wedge is an optical refraction device that has largely the shape of a wedge. The wedge may have a plane of symmetry and be partially mirrored. It is different in its execution, its task being the spatial and temporal splitting or superimposition of a ray exit surface.

The exit surface is the area through which light exits an optical assembly.

An interface constitutes the interface of two optical elements having different optical densities, whereby light rays at that surface undergo or penetrate the total reflection.

A decoupling device makes it possible to select light beams with different angular sizes to an optical axis, these being totally reflected or transmitted at an interface of two different optically denser media.

Preferred embodiments:

In particular, an apparatus for reducing the light beam space by beam space superimposition of a light beam and to overlap the beam space by beam space superposition of a plurality of light beams is thus provided.

Formed as an optical arrangement, this includes an optical refraction device for divergence adjustment, as well as the spatial and temporal repositioning of components of the light, a concentrator device and an optical fiber system, wherein the optical refraction means in the form of a prism-shaped partially formed mirrored double wedge and the concentrator has a parabolic wedge shape, so that the refraction device receives light, which may be an already focused focal point, through a radiation exit surface over the entrance surface and these spatially and temporally relocated. As a result, the original radiation output surface receives a spatial dimension which leaves it as a newly created solid angle, which is taken up by the concentrator device and spatially and temporally superimposed in a further solid angle region, thereby reducing the beam space. The light beams which have penetrated the concentrator device can now be transported via a light guide system to a further optical arrangement for light beam space superposition, where the light beams reduced in their beam space are merged with further reduced light beam spaces and the newly formed cross section represents a beam output surface from which the emergent light rays, which originate from a multiplicity of optical arrangements, strike the entrance surface of a refraction device which adjusts the divergence of the irradiated radiation and shifts components of the light spatially and temporally relative to each other, wherein subsequently the spatially split light emerging from the refraction device is conveyed by means of a concentrator device is reflected, concentrated, spatially and temporally superimposed, so that after passing through the concentrator means the light on the Austrittsfl che in combination with a light ray space reduction it leaves again in the form of light rays space overlay.

• Einstrahlen eines Lichtbündels, was ein bereits fokussierter Brennpunkt sein kann, durch eine Strahlenausgangsfläche auf eine optische Brechungseinrichtung, welche einen prismenförmigen Keil oder teilweise verspiegelten Doppelkeil darstellt, der die Divergenz der eingestrahlten Strahlung anpasst und Bestandteile des Lichts räumlich und zeitlich zueinander verschiebt, wonach im Anschluss mittels einer Konzentratoreinrichtung, was einen parabolischen Spiegel oder optischen Keil darstellt, das aus der Brechungseinrichtung austretende räumlich aufgesplittete Licht reflektiert, konzentriert, räumlich und zeitlich überlagert, so das nach Durchlaufen der Konzentratoreinrichtung das Licht mit einem verkleinerten Strahlenraum durch ein Lichtleitsystem in Form von Fokussierungseinrichtungen oder von verspiegelten Hohlkörpern oder von Lichtleitern zu einer weiteren optischen Anordnungen zur Lichtstrahlenraumüberlagerung transportiert wird, wo die in ihrem Strahlenraum verkleinerten Lichtstrahlen mit weiteren Lichtstrahlenräumen zusammen geführt werden und der damit neu entstandene Querschnitt eine Strahlenausgangsfläche darstellt, aus der die austretenden Lichtstrahlen, welche von einer Vielzahl von optischen Anordnungen stammt, auf die Eintrittsfläche einer Brechungseinrichtung treffen, welche die Divergenz der eingestrahlten Strahlung anpasst und Bestandteile des Lichts räumlich und zeitlich zueinander verschiebt, wobei im Anschluss mittels einer Konzentratoreinrichtung das aus der Brechungseinrichtung austretende räumlich aufgesplittete Licht reflektiert, konzentriert, räumlich und zeitlich überlagert, so das nach Durchlaufen der Konzentratoreinrichtung das Licht über die Austrittsfläche in Form einer Lichtstrahlenraumüberlagerung in Kombination mit einer Lichtstrahlenraumverkleinerung diese wieder verlässt.

Furthermore, a method for reducing the light beam space by beam space superimposition of a light beam and for the light beam space overlay by beam space superposition of a plurality of light beams is advantageously provided, comprising the following steps:

• Irradiating a light beam, which may be an already focused focal point, through a beam exit surface onto an optical refraction device which is a prismatic wedge or partially mirrored double wedge that adjusts the divergence of the incident radiation and shifts components of the light spatially and temporally with respect to each other by concentrator means, which is a parabolic mirror or optical wedge, which reflects spatially split light emerging from the refracting means, concentrated, spatially and temporally superimposed, then after passing through the concentrator means the light with a reduced beam space through a light guide system in the form of focusing means or is transported by mirrored hollow bodies or light guides to another optical arrangements for light beam space overlay, where the reduced in their beam space light rays are combined with other light rays spaces together and the newly created cross-section represents a radiation output surface from which the exiting light rays, which originate from a variety of optical arrangements, meet the entrance surface of a refraction device, which adjusts the divergence of the incident radiation and components of the light spatially and temporally displaced to each other, wherein subsequently by means of a concentrator the spatially split light emerging from the refraction device, concentrated, spatially and temporally superimposed, so after passing through the concentrator the light over the exit surface in the form of a Lichtstrahlenraumüberlagerung in combination with a Lichtstrahlenraumverkleinerung this leaves again.

The advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the optical arrangement allows a light beam space to be changed individually, ie the beam cross section or beam space angle individually or in combination, without affecting other parameters. As a result, additional radiation power can be added to a beam without changing physical output variables such as cross section or angle. Thus, the irradiance of a beam angle or beam cross section can be gradually and repeatedly increased. It is crucial that the additionally irradiated light beams are superimposed after passing through the optical arrangement in a common room size. Thus, a continuous and repeated superposition of light rays is possible.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the beam space reduction or beam space superposition provides for reducing a beam cross section without changing its beam space angle.

• Einstrahlen von Licht durch eine Strahlenausgangsfläche auf eine optische Brechungseinrichtung, wobei diese Strahlenausgangsfläche im Vergleich zur Austrittsfläche der Konzentratoreinrichtung eine größere Fläche besitzt, wobei die Brechungseinrichtung die Divergenz der eingestrahlten Strahlung anpasst und Bestandteile des Lichts räumlich und zeitlich zueinander verschiebt, so dass im Anschluss mittels einer Konzentratoreinrichtung das aus der Brechungseinrichtung austretende räumlich aufgesplittete Licht reflektiert, konzentriert, räumlich und zeitlich überlagert wird, wobei nach Durchlaufen der Konzentratoreinrichtung das Licht über die verkleinerte Austrittsfläche mit einem gleich großen oder ähnlichen Raumwinkel wie in der Ausgangssituation diese wieder verlässt, so dass diese Austrittsstrahlung individuell fokussiert oder mit Hilfe von reflektierenden Hohlkörpern oder optischen Lichtleitern transportiert werden kann, wobei die optische Brechungseinrichtung ein optisches Element darstellt, welches die Form eines geschwungenen teilweise verspiegelten prismenförmigen Doppelkeils ausbildet bei der eine Längsseite des Keils als Eintrittsfläche für die Lichtaufnahme dient und über die zweite Längsseite die Lichtstrahlen den Keil räumlich und zeitlich als neuen Raumwinkel wieder verlassen, so dass diese direkt von der Konzentratoreinrichtung, welche ein optisches keilförmiges Element mit einer höheren optischen Dichte als die Brechungseinrichtung darstellt, in einem zweiten Raumwinkelbereich überlagert wird, wobei die Austrittsfläche der Konzentratoreinrichtung im Querschnitt kleiner ist als die der Strahlenausgangsfläche, mit dem Ergebnis, dass die Strahlung, die aus der Konzentratoreinrichtung austritt, im Strahlenquerschnitt verkleinert wurde, sich aber der Strahlenraumwinkel gegenüber der Ausgangssituation nicht oder kaum verändert hat, so dass diese Strahlung im Anschluss wahlweise fokussiert oder kontrolliert transportiert werden kann.

These include the following steps:

• Irradiating light through a radiation exit surface onto an optical refraction device, wherein this radiation exit surface has a larger area compared to the exit surface of the concentrator device, wherein the refraction device adjusts the divergence of the irradiated radiation and shifts components of the light spatially and temporally relative to each other, so that subsequently Concentrator device reflects the spatially split light emerging from the refraction device, concentrated, spatially and temporally superimposed, wherein after passing through the concentrator means the light on the reduced exit surface with an equal or similar solid angle as in the initial situation leaves this again, so that this exit radiation can be individually focused or transported by means of reflective hollow bodies or optical light guides, wherein the optical refraction means is an optical element which forms the shape of a curved partially mirrored prismatic double wedge in which one longitudinal side of the wedge serves as an entrance surface for the light reception and on the second longitudinal side, the light beams leave the wedge spatially and temporally as a new solid angle, so that it is superimposed directly on the concentrator device, which is an optical wedge-shaped element with a higher optical density than the refraction device, in a second solid angle range , wherein the exit surface of the concentrator device in cross section is smaller than that of the beam output surface, with the result that the radiation emerging from the concentrator device has been reduced in beam cross section, but the beam space angle has not or hardly changed from the initial situation, so that this Afterwards, radiation can be focused or transported in a controlled manner.

• Einstrahlen von Licht mit einem großen Strahlenraumwinkel auf eine optische Brechungseinrichtung, wobei die Strahlenausgangsfläche zum Vergleich der Austrittsfläche der Konzentratoreinrichtung einen gleichgroßen Querschnitt besitzt, welche die Divergenz der eingestrahlten Strahlung anpasst und Bestandteile des Lichts räumlich und zeitlich zueinander verschiebt, so das im Anschluss mittels einer Konzentratoreinrichtung das aus der Brechungseinrichtung austretende räumlich aufgesplittete Licht reflektiert, konzentriert, räumlich und zeitlich überlagert wird, wobei nach Durchlaufen der Konzentratoreinrichtung das Licht über die Austrittsfläche mit einem kleineren Raumwinkel wie in der Ausgangssituation diese wieder verlässt, so dass diese Austrittsstrahlung individuell fokussiert oder mit Hilfe von reflektierenden Hohlkörpern oder optischen Lichtleitern transportiert werden kann, wobei die optische Brechungseinrichtung ein optisches Element darstellt, was die Form eines geschwungenen teilweise verspiegelten prismenförmigen Doppelkeils ausbildet, bei der eine Längsseite des Keils als Eintrittsfläche für die Lichtaufnahme dient und über die zweite Längsseite die Lichtstrahlen den Keil räumlich und zeitlich als neuen Raumwinkel wieder verlässt, so dass diese direkt von der Konzentratoreinrichtung, welches ein optisches keilförmiges Element mit einer höheren optischen Dichte als die Brechungseinrichtung darstellt, in einen zweiten Raumwinkelbereich überlagert wird, wobei die Austrittsfläche der Konzentratoreinrichtung im Querschnitt gleichgroß ist wie die der Strahlenausgangsfläche, mit dem Ergebnis, dass die Strahlung, die aus der Konzentratoreinrichtung austritt, im Strahlenquerschnitt konstant geblieben ist, sich aber der Strahlenraumwinkel gegenüber der Ausgangssituation verkleinert hat, so dass diese Strahlung im Anschluss wahlweise fokussiert oder kontrolliert transportiert werden kann.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the beam space reduction or beam space superposition provides for reducing a beam space angle without changing its beam cross section. This includes the following steps:

• Irradiation of light with a large beam space angle to an optical refraction device, wherein the beam output surface for comparison of the exit surface of the concentrator has an equal cross-section, which adjusts the divergence of the incident radiation and shifts components of the light spatially and temporally to each other, then by means of a concentrator the spatially split light emerging from the refraction device is reflected, concentrated, spatially and temporally superimposed, whereby after passing through the concentrator device the light exits via the exit surface with a smaller solid angle as in the initial situation, so that this exit radiation is individually focused or with the aid of reflective hollow bodies or optical light guides can be transported, wherein the optical refraction means is an optical element, which takes the form of a schw Forming partially uncoated prism-shaped double wedge, in which one longitudinal side of the wedge serves as an entrance surface for the light absorption and on the second longitudinal side of the light leaves the wedge spatially and temporally as a new solid angle again, so that these directly from the concentrator, which is an optical wedge-shaped element with a higher optical density than the refraction device is superimposed in a second solid angle range, wherein the exit surface of the concentrator device in cross section is the same size as that of the beam output surface, with the result that the radiation exiting the concentrator device has remained constant in the beam cross section However, the beam space angle has reduced compared to the initial situation, so that this radiation can be selectively focused or controlled transported.

• Einstrahlen von Licht auf eine optische Brechungseinrichtung zur räumlichen und zeitlichen Aufsplittung von Lichtstrahlen mit anschließender Raumüberlagerung in einer Konzentratoreinrichtung, bei der die optische Brechungseinrichtung die Form eines einfachen prismenförmigen Keils ausbildet und die Konzentratoreinrichtung ein parabolischer Spiegel ist. Die Konzentratoreinrichtung ist in dieser Ausführung so angeordnet, dass durch die Eintrittsfläche des prismenförmigen Keils eintretendes Licht, was auch gleichzeitig die Strahlenausgangsfläche darstellt, dieses an den Längsseiten des prismenförmigen Keils mit einem verkleinerten aber räumlich und zeitlich aufgesplitteten, verlagerten Raumwinkel wieder austritt, wo bei die Konzentratoreinrichtung diese räumlich und zeitlich aufgesplitteten Raumwinkel, welche insgesamt einen großen Raumquerschnitt ergeben würden, in einen kleinen Raumquerschnitt überlagert, so dass dieser neu entstandene Raumwinkelbereich kleiner ist als der ursprüngliche Raumwinkelbereich der Ausgangssituation. Der Lichtstrahlenquerschnitt verändert sich bei dieser Ausführungsform nur unwesentlich, wobei diese im Anschluss wahlweise fokussiert oder kontrolliert transportiert werden können.

A particularly simple form of beam space reduction or radiation space superposition of light comprises the following embodiment:

• Irradiation of light onto an optical refraction device for the spatial and temporal splitting of light beams with subsequent space superposition in a concentrator device, in which the optical refraction device forms the shape of a simple prismatic wedge and the concentrator device is a parabolic mirror. In this embodiment, the concentrator device is arranged such that light entering through the entrance surface of the prismatic wedge, which at the same time represents the beam exit surface, escapes again at the longitudinal sides of the prismatic wedge with a reduced spatial angle split in space and time, where the Concentrator this spatially and temporally split solid angles, which would give a total of a large area cross-section, superimposed in a small space cross section, so that this newly created solid angle range is smaller than the original solid angle range of the initial situation. The light beam cross section changes only insignificantly in this embodiment, whereby these can be selectively transported in a focused or controlled manner.

• Einstrahlen von Licht auf eine optische Brechungseinrichtung, welche die Divergenz der eingestrahlten Strahlung anpasst und Bestandteile des Lichts räumlich und zeitlich zueinander verschiebt, so das im Anschluss mittels einer Konzentratoreinrichtung das aus der Brechungseinrichtung austretende Licht reflektiert, konzentriert, räumlich und zeitlich überlagert wird. Nach dieser hier mehrfach beschriebenen Strahlenraumverkleinerung werden die Lichtstrahlen in ein Auskopplungssystem überführt, was die Aufgabe hat, Lichtstrahlen, welche einen vorgegebenen Winkel von der optischen Achse weg übersteigt über eine Auskopplungseinrichtung auszukoppeln und in ein Lichtleitsystem wiederum einzukoppeln, so dass diese Strahlung durch ein Lichtleitsystem zu der ursprünglichen Eintrittsfläche transportiert und erneut in die optische Anordnung eingestrahlt werden kann, um den Prozess mit der neu zugeführten Strahlung nochmals zu durchlaufen. Auf Grund dessen hat die verbleibende Lichtstrahlung im Auskopplungsystem nun einen vorgegebenen Strahlenwinkel zur optischen Achse, welcher nicht überschritten werden kann, so dass diese Strahlung mit einem sehr kleinen Raumwinkel die Austrittsfläche wieder verlässt.

Furthermore, a method for beam space angle alignment is advantageously set forth, comprising the following steps:

• Injecting light onto an optical refraction device, which adapts the divergence of the incident radiation and shifts components of the light spatially and temporally relative to one another, this is what follows By means of a concentrator device, the light emerging from the refraction device is reflected, concentrated, spatially and temporally superimposed. After this beam space reduction described here several times, the light beams are transferred to a decoupling system, which has the task of coupling light beams, which exceeds a predetermined angle away from the optical axis via a decoupling device and in turn coupled into a light control system, so that this radiation through a light guide system transported to the original entrance surface and re-irradiated in the optical arrangement to re-process the process with the newly supplied radiation. Because of this, the remaining light radiation in the outcoupling system now has a predetermined beam angle to the optical axis, which can not be exceeded, so that this radiation leaves the exit surface again with a very small solid angle.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, several of the optical arrangements of the invention, in which the beam output surface of the refraction device is larger than the exit surface of the concentrator device (at constant beam space angle), coupled together via a light guide system. In this case, the light which originates from an exit surface of an optical arrangement is coupled into an optical waveguide. This light guide, which may also be part of the concentrator device, now transports this to a further optical arrangement, wherein the optical arrangements named here preferably have a uniform size. It is crucial that the cross section of the light guide is smaller than the cross section of the beam output surface of the other optical arrangements. Due to these differences in area conditions are created that several optical fibers from different optical arrangements can be coupled into an optical arrangement. Since the beam space angle remains constant with a reduced cross section, in this embodiment as many optical fibers can be combined in one cross section until the original beam output surface is reached. Thus, multiple optical arrays yield a new beam output area which is identical to one of the original beam output areas. Within the framework of the physical laws, the irradiation intensity of the exit surface of a subsequent optical arrangement can thus be increased more and more by connecting several optical arrangements of the invention in series, without changing the beam space angle.

The described embodiments have only exemplary character and can also be carried out in combination.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung des prismenförmigen Keils,
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform der optischen Anordnung der Erfindung mit einer Linse als Fokussierungseinrichtung,
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung, bei der mehrere optische Anordnungen hintereinander positioniert sind,
• 5a/b weitere typische Ausführungsform der optischen Anordnung,
• 6 eine typische Ausführungsform der optischen Anordnung in Verbindung mit einem Lichtleiter,
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung der Hintereinanderreihung einer Vielzahl von optischen Anordnungen,
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung einer optische Anordnung mit integriertem Auskopplungssystem,
• 9a/b eine schematische Darstellung zum besseren Verständnis der Raumüberlagerung und
• 10 ein schematisches Flussdiagramm der einzelnen Schritte eines Verfahrens zur Strahlenraumüberlagerung.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the figures. Hereby show:

• 1 a schematic representation of the prism-shaped wedge,
• 2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention,
• 3 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the optical arrangement of the invention with a lens as a focusing device,
• 4 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention, in which a plurality of optical arrangements are positioned one behind the other,
• 5a / b further typical embodiment of the optical arrangement,
• 6 a typical embodiment of the optical arrangement in conjunction with a light guide,
• 7 a schematic representation of the sequential arrangement of a plurality of optical arrangements,
• 8th a schematic representation of an optical arrangement with integrated extraction system,
• 9a / b is a schematic representation for a better understanding of the space overlay and
• 10 a schematic flow diagram of the individual steps of a method for beam space overlay.

1 shows the schematic operation of the refraction device 3 in the form of a simple prismatic wedge 13 , In the angle of incidence range 9 light rays pass through a radiation exit surface 14 and hit the entrance area 2 of the prism-shaped wedge 13. The light rays 17 Now, according to Snell's law of refraction, they propagate in the prism-shaped wedge 13. An essential property of the light rays is the optical refraction by total reflection, which occurs at light rays that impinge below a certain angle on an interface of a more dense optical medium with a less dense optically medium, here on the inner surfaces of the prismatic wedge 13 , In addition, the running speed of the light radiation is changed in an optical medium. The optical refraction, the changed running speed and the total reflection make sure that light rays 17 which has a beam cross section in the form of a beam output surface 14 own in the prism-shaped wedge 13 a spatial and temporal splitting 15 so that the rays of light 17 from the prism-shaped wedge 13 in the form of spatially displaced light rays 17 with a smaller angle than the angle of incidence 9 exit again. In this case, the wedge shape directly influences the cross-sectional or solid angle size, which can be changed individually. The refraction device 3 Thus, on the one hand serves the conversion of a radiation output surface 14 in a spatial and temporal splitting 15 and on the other hand, an angular or cross-sectional change of the radiation.

In 2 becomes a typical embodiment of the optical arrangement 1 shown. It comprises a refraction device 3 in the form of a prism-shaped wedge 13 and a concentrator device 4 in the form of a parabolic mirror 20 where the incident light rays 17 the optical arrangement 1 go through from left to right. The from an angle of incidence range 9 as the beam output surface 14 incident convergent light beams 17 step through the entrance area 2 through in the prism-shaped wedge 13, so that these subsequent to the longitudinal sides of the prism-shaped wedge 13 , in a reduced solid angle area 6 , spatially and temporally offset emerge again. The concentrator device 4 is now arranged so that the out of the prism-shaped wedge 13 emerging light rays 17 in a solid angle area 7 be transmitted. In this area 7 / 15 The light beams are reflected by reflection into each other on a reduced exit area 8th superimposed. This is possible since the original cross-section of the beam exit surface 14, which must be understood as a surface, no longer exists. Rather, this area now has a spatial extension 15 assumed that these spatially offset light rays 17 , which are to be understood as independent spaces, can now be arranged one behind the other or among each other.

Since the output quantity of radiation is not a single radiation output surface 14 but is a continuous jet flow, has the concentrator device 4 the task of temporally and spatially superimposing an energy flow, in other words different radiation output surfaces 14, which in this embodiment leads to an angular reduction at an approximately constant radiation output surface 14 leads.

In 3 becomes a typical embodiment of the optical arrangement 1 shown. It comprises a refraction device 3 in the form of a prism-shaped wedge 13 , a concentrator device 4 in the form of a parabolic mirror 20 and a focusing device 16 in the form of a lens, these diverging from the exit surface 8th spreading radiation back into one reproduced. This reproduced now has the same diameter as the cross section of the beam output surface 14 , In this case, the preservation of the optical image is not relevant, but only the focusing of the radiation power. The solid angle 10 from the reproduced is still smaller in this embodiment than the solid angle 9 the original radiation output surface 14 ,

The reduced solid angle 10 thus provides a space over which further radiation 9 on the is projectable. That will be in 4 shown.

In 4 is a schematic representation of the sequential arrangement of an optical arrangement 1 with other similar optical arrangements 11 shown. Here is the position of the the optical arrangement 1 at the position of the next further optical arrangement 11 , so that the light rays 17 on a be bundled. Due to the solid angle reduction of opposite the output radiation 9 at constant cross section, in addition to the light rays 17 additional light rays 12 on the bundled so that both the light rays 17 and the additional light rays 12 in the prism-shaped wedge 13 the next following optical arrangement 11 enter. For every further optical arrangement 11 Now additional light rays 12 in the same way to a respective next following entrance surface 2 focused.

In the context of physical laws can thus by connecting several optical arrangements 1 / 11 the invention, the irradiance of the exit surface of a next optical arrangement to be further increased without changing the solid angle or the beam cross-section.

In 5a / b are other typical embodiments of the optical arrangement 1 / 11 shown. They include a refraction device 3 in the form of a partially mirrored double wedge 13 and a concentrator device 4 in the form of a prism-shaped wedge 19 with a higher optical density than 3/13, with incident light rays 17 the optical arrangement 1 go through from left to right. The from an angle of incidence range 9 on the beam output surface 14 incident convergent beams of light 17 step through the entrance area 2 through into the prism-shaped wedge 13 and occur on the long sides of the prism-shaped wedge 13 out again. The concentrator device 4 is now arranged so that in a first solid angle region emerging from the prism-shaped wedge 13 spatially and temporally offset light rays to a second solid angle range 7 be transferred, wherein the second solid angle area 7 / 15 this radiation is superimposed on one another by optical refraction, changed running speed and total reflection. This is possible since the original output cross section of the beam output surface 14 , which represents a temporal line for this energy no longer exists as a temporal line, but as a spatial extension 15 represents, so that these spatially offset energy points now have the opportunity temporally in succession or to classify themselves among themselves. Since the output quantity of radiation is not a single radiation output surface 14 but is a continuous jet flow, has the concentrator device 4 the task, an energy flow, ie different radiation output surfaces 14 spatially superimposed in itself, which depending on the execution to an angular reduction ( 5a ) at constant beam output area 14 leads and / or to a radiation output area reduction ( 5b ) without spatial angle change with respect to the output radiation 9 comes.

In 6 is a typical embodiment of the optical arrangement 1 shown. It comprises a refraction device 3 in the form of a partially mirrored double wedge 13 , a concentrator device 4 in the form of a prism-shaped wedge 19 with a higher optical density than 3 and a light guide system 21 where the incident light rays 17 which the optical arrangement 1 from left to right, directly from the concentrator device 4 in a lighting control system 21 be fed so that the light radiation contained in this system can be transported to any location. It would be advantageous here that the concentrator device 4 and the light guide 21 form a common entity.

In 7 is a schematic representation of the sequential arrangement of an optical arrangement 1 with other similar optical arrangements 11 shown. Thereby the light rays become 17 , which consists of an exit surface 8th an optical arrangement 1 comes, with the help of a light guide 21 transported to a radiation exit surface 14. It can be seen that the light guide 21 , which transports the light beams, has a substantially smaller cross section than the beam cross section of the beam output surface 14 it hits. Due to these cross-sectional differences, conditions are created that require multiple light guides 21 which consist of different optical arrangements 1 come in an optical arrangement 11 can be coupled.

This makes it possible, additional light rays in the subsequent entrance surface 2 to let in light. In the context of physical laws can thus by rear-loading several optical arrangements 1 / 11 the invention, the irradiance of the exit surface 8th a next optical arrangement 11 be further increased without changing the solid angle or the beam cross section.

An example is intended to illustrate the potential: The starting point is that, in an optical arrangement, the ratio of the area reduction of the radiation output area 14 to the exit surface 8th 1 : 5 is.

The output radiation each represents a focused focal point (e.g., solar rays) having a light concentration of 1: 600.

In a series connection, in which the light rays pass through only five optical arrangements, already creates a Lichttkonzentration of about 1: 1.8 million.

If a focal point were to undergo twice as many optical arrangements, the concentration of light mathematically reaches an unimaginable size of more than 1: 5.8 billion.

In 8th is a schematic representation of an optical arrangement 1 with integrated extraction system 23 shown. In the angle of incidence range 9 go through light rays 17 a radiation exit surface 14 and hit the refraction device 3 , these rays of light 17 subsequently by means of a concentrator device 4 , which has a higher optical density than 3, are spatially and temporally superimposed. The in the concentrator device 4 located light beams 17 are now in the connection by means of total reflection or mirrored surfaces in a decoupling system 23 transported. This extraction system consists of an optical medium, which is the concentrator device 4 corresponds or resembles. At this extraction system 23 is located in a section of a coupling device 24 which directly with the extraction system 23 is connected, wherein the coupling-out device 24 represents an optical medium having a lower optical density than the outcoupling system 23 itself. The decoupling device 24 is to be understood in its further course as a light guide system, which assumes the task of light rays 17 to transport. Meeting from the decoupling system 23 light rays 17 on the section of the coupling-out device 24 , so these are depending on their angular position at this interface 22 totally reflected or let through. The goal is to light rays 17 with too large an angle to the optical axis 5 from the extraction system 23 to filter them out afterwards via a light control system 21 to be involved again in the initial process. The remaining rays of light 17 in the extraction system 23 now have a given maximum angle to the optical axis 5 , which can not be exceeded, so that this with a smaller solid angle 10 the extraction system 23 over the exit surface 8th leave again.

Of course, different fusions of optical arrangements with different designs are also possible here.

The aim is to convert light rays from a diffuse large solid angle range into a small ordered solid angle range.

In the 9a / b is a simple optical wedge as a refraction device 3 illustrated the procedure and the context of the beam space reduction by the temporal and spatial displacement of the light beams 17 to clarify once again.

For this reason, in 9a a wedge as a refraction device 3 on a large entrance area 2 light rays 17 fed. The goal is that the rays of light 17 over the smaller exit area 8th the wedge as a refraction device 3 should leave again.

This is with the simplified illustrated method in FIG 9a but only conditionally possible, since here for physical reasons (total reflection), only a part of the radiation, the exit surface 8th can happen.

It can be seen that the upper part of the light bundles 25 the exit surface 8th can penetrate easily, the lower part of the light beam 26 , which over the entrance area 2 in the wedge as a refraction device 3 penetrate, but leave the wedge again on the entrance surface 2 ,

This is due to the fact that the light bundles 25 and 26 due to their size, the exit surface can not happen at the same time.

Now it is possible to use the new method to influence the radiation in its temporal and spatial arrangement.

In 9b is in the simple optical wedge as a refraction device 3 another optical element with a higher optical density than the wedge with introduced. This concentrator device 4 now changes specifically the temporal and spatial radiation of the light bundles 25 and 26 in the optical arrangement, so that they are temporally offset from each other. Due to this temporal shift, the light beams can now 25 and 26 the exit surface 8th easily happen. If one were to regard the output radiation as individual energy particles in a time plane, then one would find that in 9b these individual light particles with different times through the exit surface 8th stream. Due to this time shift, it is possible to spatially superimpose radiation so that in a continuous beam flux, this energy may exist superimposed in a given space or angle.

In 10 the schematic sequence of the individual steps of a method for increasing the energy density of radiation - here light - represented by a Lichtstrahlenraumverkleinerung by beam space superposition of a light beam and the Lichtstrahlenraumüberlagerung several light beams, with the aim of the fundamental separation of the beam space angle of the corresponding spatial cross section, so that they independently are variable in size.

In the first step, a beam, which may also be a focused focus on an entrance surface of an optical arrangement 1 irradiated 101. Subsequently, the divergence of the irradiated radiation is adjusted in a refraction device 102 and components of the light spatially and temporally shifted with respect to each other. The spatially split light emerging from the refraction device is then spatially and temporally superimposed in a concentrator device 103, so that after passing through the concentrator device, the light with a reduced beam space through a light guide system (104) in the form of focusing devices, mirrored hollow body or optical fiber to another optical Arrangements (106) for light beam space overlap is transported.

The narrowed in their beam space light beams can then be merged with other light beam spaces together (105) wherein the resulting cross-section represents a new radiation exit surface from which the exiting light rays, which originate from a plurality of optical arrangements, on the entrance surface of a refraction device (107) meet, which adjusts the divergence of the irradiated radiation and shifts components of the light spatially and temporally to each other. The spatially split light emerging from the refraction device is subsequently spatially and temporally superimposed by means of a concentrator device (108) so that it exits via an exit surface in the form of a light beam space superposition in combination with a light beam space reduction (109), so that the process of beam space reduction and the ray space overlay can start again.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

optical arrangement

2

entry surface

3

refractor

4

concentrator

5

optical axis

6

newly created solid angle range

7

superimposed solid angle range

8th

exit area

9

Angle of incidence on the entrance surface

10

reproduced angle

11

further optical arrangement

12

additional light rays

13

prismatic wedge

14

Radiation output surface

15

spatial and temporal splitting of the light radiation

16

focusing

17

light rays

18

Illustration as a focused energy point

19

prismatic wedge with higher optical density than 3

20

mirrored surfaces

21

Radiation control system, in particular light control system

22

interface

23

outcoupling system

24

decoupling device

25

light beam

26

light beam

101-109

steps

Claims (15)

Device for increasing the energy density of light or other radiation, designed as an optical arrangement (1) comprising at least one optical refraction device (3) and concentrator device (4), characterized in that in the optical device (1) the optical refraction device (3) has the form of a prism-shaped wedge (13) for divergence matching, as well as the spatial and temporal repositioning (15) of components of the light (17) or other radiation having a solid angle (9) and a beam exit surface (14) and the concentrator device (4) is arranged so that by the concentrator means (4) from the refraction device (3) exiting spatially split light or the radiation is reflected, concentrated, spatially and temporally superimposed, so that the light / radiation with a reduced radiation space from the Concentrator (4) emerges. Device after Claim 1 , characterized in that the reduced beam space has a solid angle (10) which is smaller than the solid angle (9) of the original radiation output surface (14), without changing the associated space cross-section. Device after Claim 2 , characterized in that the solid angle (10) can be supplemented by adding further beams (12) up to a solid angle (9). Device after Claim 1 , characterized in that the reduced beam space has an exit cross-sectional area (8) which is smaller than the cross-section of the original beam exit surface (14), without changing the associated solid angle. Device after Claim 4 , characterized in that the outlet cross-sectional area (8) can be supplemented by the addition of further beams (12) up to the cross-section of the original radiation exit area (14). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that around the rays (12) supplemented solid angle / cross section (10/8) of a further radiation optical arrangement (11), which at least one refraction device (3) and a concentrator device (4), can be fed. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the concentrator device (4) has a parabolic shape or is an optically curved prism-shaped wedge with a higher optical density than the refraction device (3). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the refraction device (3) is a partially mirrored prism-shaped double wedge (13). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the refraction device (3) itself is a radiation source. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that the output radiation which radiates into the refraction device (3) is a focused focal point. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 10 , characterized in that the focusing device (16) is a lens or a lens system. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that the beam guidance system (21) has mirrored hollow bodies or is a light guide. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 12 , characterized in that the part of the light radiation which exceeds a predetermined angle to the optical axis (5) in an outcoupling system (23) via a coupling-out device (24) with the aid of a light guide in the entrance surface (2) of the optical arrangement (1 / 11) can be fed back. A method of increasing the energy density of radiation by means of beam space reduction by beam overlaying a beam or for beam space superposition of a plurality of beams, comprising the steps of: irradiating a beam through a beam exit surface onto an optical refracting device (101) representing a prismatic wedge or partially mirrored double wedge adjusts the divergence of the irradiated radiation and shifts the components of the radiation spatially and temporally relative to one another (102), after which, by means of a concentrator device (103), which represents a parabolic mirror or an optical wedge, reflects the spatially split radiation emerging from the refraction device, concentrated, spatially and temporally superimposed, so that after passing through the concentrator the radiation leaves them again with a reduced beam space. Method according to Claim 14 , characterized in that the reduced beam space is transported by a control system (104) in the form of focusing devices, mirrored hollow bodies or light guides to another optical arrangement (106) for beam space superposition, the reduced beam space is merged with other beam spaces (105) and the like newly emerging radiation space represents a new radiation output variable, wherein these meet the entrance surface of a refraction device (107), which adjusts the divergence of the incident radiation and spatial components of the radiation and temporally shifts, followed by means of a concentrator (108) from the refraction device emerging spatially split radiation is reflected, concentrated, spatially and temporally superimposed, so that after passing through the concentrator means the radiation over the exit surface in the form of a radiation space superposition in Leaving combination with a jet space reduction (109) again.

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