Design of photonic structures for the enhancement of the light guiding efficiency of fluorescent concentrators

Photonic structures can be used to eliminate the main loss mechanism in fluorescent concentrators. Simulation routines have been established to investigate the optical characteristic of different photonic crystals. Especially two kinds of structures with an appropriate characteristic have been examined closely. The first is the rugate filter, a one-dimensional photonic structure. In the rugate filter the refractive index is varied sinusoidally over the thickness of the filter. The second is the opal, a three-dimensional photonic crystals made of spheres that are arranged in a self organization process. Filters from these structures have been designed and optimized for the application and fluorescent concentrators and have been optimized. Additional aspects of the structures like angular effects have been examined.