The standard beam homogenizer used in Sciencetech's fully reflective solar simulators contains two additional mirrors that makes changing the spot size (or target distance) easy to perform. Unfortunately, the side effect of these two additional mirrors is that they absorb more UV light. Although this effect is minor, it becomes a concern when the Solar Simulator is used for solar cell testing which must meet ASTM E927-91(1997) and IEC-904-9 standards. For solar cell testing, Sciencetech recommends using the 5511BC beam homogenizer which does not have the two additional mirrors so that its UV output is more accurate.

Input Aperture
The 5511BC has two input aperture choices to choose from. The f/2.5 version is to mate with Sciencetech's 200-1K high wattage arc lamp housing (500W~1.6kW), and the f/4 version is to mate with Sciencetech's 200-100 low wattage arc lamp housing (up to 200W). The Sciencetech SS-500, SS-1KW, SS-1.6KW Solar Simulators use the f/2.5 version and the Sciencetech SS-150W Solar Simulators use the f/4 version.

Comparison with 5520BC Beam Homogenizer
This Sciencetech 5520BC Beam Homogenizer has a longer optical path than the 5511BC due to 2 additional internal focusing mirrors. The purpose of these two focusing mirrors is to make it easier to change the spot size (or target distance) of the output beam. Although this still involves manual repositioning of the two focusing mirrors, it is still easier than changing the individual angles of the segmented mirror which is nearly impossible for the customer to do themselves without specialized equipment.

Unfortunately, the effects of these additional focusing mirrors absorb more light in the UV region. Although this is a minor effect, it becomes a concern if the Solar Simulator is used for Solar Cell Testing that must meet ASTM E927-91(1997) and IEC-904-9 standards. For solar cell testing, Sciencetech recommends exchanging the 5520BC beam homogenizer with the 5511BC beam homogenizer which does not have the two focusing mirrors so that the UV region more accurately matches the sun.

AM Filter Sizes
The 5511BC uses 3" x 3" square AM filters. In the SS150 150W Solar Simulator configuration, only the inner 2" x 2" of the filter is actually used. For standardization, an over sized 3" x 3" filter is fitted into the 5511BC Beam Homogenizer as all of it would be required for the larger f/2.5 version Solar Simulators.

Focusing and Target Size
The internal mirrors of the Beam Homogenizer need to be specifically aligned for each target size. Therefore once the 5511BC is focused for a particular target size, it cannot be used for another target size as that target size position would be out of focus. Please specify your target size (2", 3", 4") or discuss a customization with an Applications Specialist.

Technical Specifications

• Output beam window: 3.75" diameter
• Uniformity: 10%
• Spot Size: 2", 4" or 8" diameter please specify at time of order
• Beam Divergence: 2º at 2" spot size, 0.8º at 4" spot size
• Target Distance: 8" to 32" depending on spot size.