Abstract

A 2-D optical analysis is described that allows determination of the intensity distribution on a circular cylinder located in the focal zone of nonperfect concentrators. We call nonperfect concentrators those in which the normal to each differential element of the specular surface departs from its correct position by an angle ɛ, the possible values of which follow a Gaussian distribution of mean value $\overline{\epsilon }$ and standard deviation σ. The analysis is based on a previous one developed to calculate the intensity distribution at the receiver plane of nonperfect cylindrical concentrators. The analysis permits the consideration of circular receivers displaced from the focus by distance δ_f in any direction and directions of the incident rays nonparallel to the parabola’s symmetry plane. Results for different sets of parameters characterizing the behavior of a given concentrator are shown and compared.

© 1985 Optical Society of America

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