A numerical method for the design of free-form reflectors for lighting applications

C.R. Prins, J.H.M. Thije Boonkkamp, ten, J. Roosmalen, van, W.L. IJzerman, T.W. Tukker

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Abstract

In this article we present a method for the design of fully free-form reflectors for illumination systems. We derive an elliptic partial differential equation of the Monge-Ampère type for the surface of a reflector that converts an arbitrary parallel beam of light into a desired intensity output pattern. The differential equation has an unusual boundary condition known as the transport boundary condition. We find a convex or concave solution to the equation using a state of the art numerical method. The method uses a nonstandard discretization based on the diagonalization of the Hessian. The discretized system is solved using standard Newton iteration. The method was tested for a circular beam with uniform intensity, a street light and a uniform beam that is transformed into a famous Dutch painting. The reflectors were verified using commercial ray tracing software. Key words: illumination optics, nonimaging optics, Monge-Ampère equation, optimal mass transport, nonlinear partial differential equation, reflector design, convex solution, wide stencil
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationEindhoven
PublisherTechnische Universiteit Eindhoven
Number of pages21
Publication statusPublished - 2013

Publication series

NameCASA-report
Volume1322
ISSN (Print)0926-4507

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