Fully Reflective Solar Simulators

Fully Reflective Solar SimulatorsSciencetech Solar Simulators produce higher intensity, very uniform illumination on a target area. In general solar simulators capture light from an arc lamp source (usually xenon) using a parabolic reflector. This arrangement results in a light pattern with a bright outer ring and a dark center. This non-uniformity is unacceptable in some applications for solar simulators. Many solar simulator manufacturers use diffusers to reduce the non-uniformity of their light pattern, but this solution results in a reduction in intensity, and a distortion of the spectrum on the target area. Sciencetech’s solution to these problems was to use a system of mirrors that “fold” the light onto the test plane so that less light is lost and there is no spectral distortion. The proprietary fully reflective design makes our SS series solar simulators much more efficient. The figure below demonstrates the the optical design of Sciencetech’s SS solar simulators.

Solar simulators can imitate sunlight conditions in a variety of environments such as the spectral distribution at sea level and in Space. The spectral distribution from the xenon arc lamp source can be altered and refined using Air Mass (AM) filters. Sciencetech’s AM filters are designed to be used individually for standard ratings but can be arranged in series to produce other spectral distributions as well. Many solar simulator systems require the use of filters in series to achieve the same performance as Sciencetech’s filters, for example the use of AM0 and AM1.0 filters in series to achieve AM1.0 spectral distribution, where Sciencetech’s AM1.0 filter can be used individually to achieve the same result. The use of a single filter reduces the losses associated with passing the light through several filters, and reduces the cost of filters for the system.

Sciencetech’s Fully Reflective Solar Simulators can be customized for your needs by manipulating the lamp power, the size of the target area and the distance to the target. The Special Development Group is happy to help you customize your device and can be contacted by email: sales@sciencetech-inc.com.