Electromagnetic radiation collector

Abstract

An electromagnetic radiation collector is provided. The electromagnetic radiation collector has a concentration chamber for collecting and concentrating electromagnetic radiation and directing it to a target, the concentration chamber having at least one inlet opening, the inlet opening having a cross-sectional area. The collector also has a channeling area having an entry end for receiving the electromagnetic radiation, the entry end having a cross-sectional area, an exit end adjacent to the inlet opening of the concentration chamber, and at least one reflective wall between the entry end and the exit end. The cross-sectional area of the inlet opening is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the entry end of the channeling area.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . An electromagnetic radiation concentrator system comprising:
 a plurality of reflectors, each reflector having a front surface and a back surface, wherein at least the front surface is reflective, wherein the reflectors are arranged such that corresponding points of any two adjacent reflectors are equidistant, wherein each reflector is positioned to direct and concentrate incoming electromagnetic radiation, wherein the radiation can enter the system through a collection surface; and   a concentration chamber, wherein the concentration chamber comprises at least one entry port on a top face, a bottom face, and at least one exit port, wherein the concentrated radiation can enter the concentration chamber through the at least one entry port.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprises light. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein light entering the concentration chamber enters in a direction that is oblique to the collection surface. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the reflective front surfaces are oriented in a same direction. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the reflective front surfaces are concave. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the reflective front surfaces are parabolic. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the back surfaces are flat. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the back surfaces are reflective. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein each of the reflectors has a focal line, wherein the reflectors are configured such that each reflector is rotatable about its own focal line. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein rotation of the reflectors is coordinated. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein rotation of the reflectors is adapted to permit concentration of the radiation during a period of time in which a source of the radiation is in motion with respect to the system. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the at least one entry port is located at the focal line. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of reflectors are formed in a solid material capable of transmitting the radiation. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein a cross-section of the concentration chamber is wedge-shaped. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the top surface of the concentration chamber comprises a reflective coating. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the bottom surface of the concentration chamber comprises a reflective coating. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the concentration chamber comprises a solid material capable of transmitting the radiation. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the at least one entry port comprises at least one gap in the solid material. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the at least one entry port comprises at least one area in the solid material, wherein the at least one area is transmissive of the incident radiation. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one entry port comprises at least one flap having a front surface and a back surface. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the back surface of the flap is reflective. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one entry port is located between adjacent reflectors. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one exit port is transmissive to the concentrated radiation incident on the exit port. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one exit port is absorptive of the concentrated radiation incident on the exit port. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the concentration chamber comprises at least two exit ports. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 30  further comprising at least one apparatus at the at least one exit port, wherein the at least one apparatus is selected from a photovoltaic cell and a thermal-energy collector. 
     
     
         56 . An electromagnetic radiation concentrator system comprising:
 a plurality of reflectors, each reflector having a front surface and a back surface, wherein the reflectors are arranged such that corresponding points of any two adjacent reflectors are equidistant, wherein each reflector is positioned to direct and concentrate incoming electromagnetic radiation, wherein the radiation can enter the system through a collection surface; and   a concentration chamber, wherein the concentration chamber comprises at least one entry port on a top face, a bottom face, and at least one exit port, wherein the concentrated radiation can enter the concentration chamber through the at least one entry port in a direction oblique to the collection surface; and   a photovoltaic cell located at the at least one exit port.   
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein at least one of the front surface and the back surface of each reflector is flat and reflective.