Components of a Solar Simulator
Optical train
Most DC arc lamp based solar simulators utilize a set of components similar to the one above which represents Abet Technologies preferred way of producing Class AAA Solar Simulator performance.
A Xe short arc lamp is energized by a power supply, not shown. The lamp is located inside an elliptical reflector which collects a high percentage of its light output. Lamp’s output is refocused near an optical homogenizer assembly which consists of two sets of offset lenslet arrays. The homogenizer, working together with the ellipse and the condenser lens, creates uniform illumination that Class A specifications call for.
Mirrors are used to fold the optical path as needed for the work plane location and to make the instrument more compact.
Spectrum shaping elements, like an AM 1.5G filter, are located just before the homogenizer assembly to assure reproducible spectral shaping across the whole work plane.
Optical shutter is located after the spectral filters and the homogenizer so that those optical elements and their mounts can come to a thermal equilibrium after the initial system warm-up and deliver stable performance with every shutter opening cycle.
Some systems ship with a photofeedback accessory, not shown. The photofeedback accessory consists of optical sampling heads and control loop electronics to further improve output stability.
System performance is specified at the Work Plane location. The Gen II optical design of Abet Solar Simulators assures in-spec performance over a significant range of work plane distances – please check the specifications tables.
