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2012
Conference Paper
Titel
Analytical investigation of diffraction in Fresnel lens concentrators
Abstract
When simulating the optical behavior of primary optics for concentrator photovoltaic systems, one usually utilizes ray tracing techniques. This approach considers geometrical optics only, whereas diffraction effects are generally assumed to be small enough to be neglected. When comparing our high precision optical measurements to computer simulation results the match between measurement and simulation data can be improved when diffraction is included. An analytical treatment of this problem is possible using the universal geometrical theory of diffraction. These formulas are evaluated for a miniature Fresnel lens concentrator. The influences of Fresnel prism size and of the divergence of the incident light are analyzed. Finally, the results are compared to ray tracing calculations that have been enhanced by an approximate treatment of diffraction.