Thermodynamics and the segmented compound parabolic concentrator

Compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) reflector profiles are complex and can be difficult to manufacture using traditional methods. Computer numeric control machines, however, can approximate complex profiles by bending a series of small flat segments. We investigate the relationship between the number of segments and the optical transmission of a CPC approximated by equal length segments whose start and end points lie along the CPC profile. We also investigate a separate method for generating CPC-like profiles by adjusting the angle of each segment to satisfy the edge-ray principle. Three variations of this method are examined where the edge-ray condition is taken from the start, mid, and end points of each segment. A flux efficiency (FE) to compare concentrators, which combines the concentration ratio and optical efficiency, is introduced and directly relates to the maximum achievable flux on the absorber. We demonstrate that the FE defined is another way to look at the compromises one makes for a geometric concentrator designed under real-world constraints.