Abstract. Illumination design usually requires the shaping of a specific irradiance distribution from a given light source. For point-like sources or collimated laser beams various methods exist to construct the shape of the refractive and/or reflective surfaces within the optical system. However, for extended sources, an additional feedback or optimization loop is usually required and limitations are not clear. We propose an analysis and design method that includes the source extension from the very beginning. The method is based on phase space mapping of the source radiance distribution onto the target irradiance distribution. We illustrate the method with several examples. © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.

Integrator rods and optical arrays are the most frequently used components in illumination design for homogenizing radiation fi elds. However, these two standard components are very different in their performance and characteristics. This tutorial is aimed to illustrate the operation principle, basic design rules and the performance of those components. It should guide the optical designer towards the optimum choice for the individual illumination application. To illustrate the functionality of integrator rods and optical arrays simultaneously in angle and position, the concept of phase space is introduced. Here the effect of the homogenizing components can nicely be illustrated in the form of phase space transformations. This offers new insight and a different perspective onto the employment and characteristics of those elements.

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For imaging design aberration theory provides solid ground for the layout and development of optical systems. Together with general design rules it will guide the optical engineer towards a valid starting point for his system. Illumination design is quite different: Often first system layouts are based on experience, rather than on a systematic approach. In addition radiometric nomenclature and definitions can be quite confusing, due to the variety of radiant performance definitions. Also at a later stage in the design, the performance evaluation usually requires extensive statistical raytracing, in order to confirm the specified energetic quantities. In general it would therefore be helpful for illumination designers, especially beginners, to have an engineering tool, which allows a fast, systematic and illustrative access to illumination design problems. We show that phase space methods can provide such a tool and moreover allow a consistent approach to radiometry. Simple illustrative methods can be used to layout and understand even complex illumination components like integrator rods and optical arrays.

In the last few years the requirement of more special and complex optical system increases as the demand in industries for higher efficiency increases. To satisfy the demand more complex optical elements substitute continuously standard components. Therefore it is of high interest to develop new methods in evaluating optical systems. In classical illumination design a huge number of rays has to be traced to get enough information to evaluate the performance of the system. An other method is to investigate the transport of etendue in the phase space picture where we have direct access to the radiance, irradiance and radiant intensity without extensive ray tracing. The phase space analyzer offers a different way to illustrate directly the phase space diagram of an arbitrary light distribution restricted to two dimensions. This method is much faster than traditional ray tracing. Most often used illumination components like integrator rods and optical arrays can be understood in the phase space approach.