Patent ID: 6312144
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A system for condensing and collecting electromagnetic radiation to increase flux density at a target surface, the system comprising:a source of radiation emitting substantially uniform radiation flux;a primary reflector having a substantially concave shaped reflective surface, a focal point, and an optical axis, said source being located proximate to said focal point, said substantially concave shaped reflective surface collecting a first and second portion of said radiation flux emitted from said source and redirecting said first portion of radiation flux along a first plurality of paths and said second portion of radiation flux along a second plurality of paths; anda retro-reflector having a non-concave shaped reflective surface, said non-concave shaped reflective surface being complementary to said substantially concave shaped reflective surface of said primary reflector;wherein said first portion of radiation flux radiates along said first plurality of paths to the target surface, said second portion of radiation flux radiates along said second plurality of paths to said non-concave shaped reflective surface of said retro-reflector, said non-concave shaped reflective surface reflects said second portion of said radiation flux back along said second plurality of paths to said primary reflector such that said second portion of said radiation flux is then reflected along said first plurality of paths to the target surface.