Hi guys,i have been looking at solar power systems using fresnel lenses,driving stirling type generators.These systems all require some form of solar tracking devise.Question 1 does light travel through a sphere in a direct path.Question 2 does light perform in the same manner through a glass sphere as an acrylic or other clear plastic medium and would a sperical fresnel provide an improved light output.Cheers

 

Question 1: does light travel through a sphere in a direct path?

1: I am not sure what you mean by a 'direct path'. Light is subject to refraction and attenuation passing into a more dense medium.

Question 2.1 does light perform in the same manner through a glass sphere as an acrylic or other clear plastic medium?

2.1: Yes, depending on what you mean by performance; the materials differ in refractive index, of course. Are you imagining a hollow or a solid sphere?

Question 2.2 and would a sperical fresnel provide an improved light output?

2.2 A Fresnel lens is flat. The geometry you would generate from trying to map a Fresnel lens onto a sphere is something a little different. In the case of a Fresnel equivalent of a spherical lens, the transformation would result in a smooth spherical surface. The devil is in the details.

I understood this to be an optical light gathering device, as in 'light input'. I don't understand the suggestion of improved light "output".

Cheers

Link to source here

 

I'm wondering if you're thinking of a collimator?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collimated_light

 

why did the voice of Dr Evil pop into my head.... sharks with freakin lasers.......