Fully Reflective Solar Simulators
The Fully Reflective Class ABA Solar Simulator
High Intensity, Uniform Illumination of artificial solar irradiation
Typically, high power solar simulators use an ellipsoidal reflector to capture light from an arc lamp source inside the reflector, an arrangement that results in a light pattern with a bright outer region and a dark center. This non-uniformity is unacceptable in many solar simulator applications and as a result, forces many of our solar simulator competitors to use designs involving diffusers to reduce the non-uniformity. This results in a reduction of intensity and a distortion of the spectrum on the target area.
Sciencetech’s solution to these problems is to use a unique system of mirrors that ‘fold’ the light onto the target plane, effectively reducing the light that is lost with little to no spectral distortion and also ensures no chromatic aberration in the output beam.
In addition, each of Sciencetech’s solar simulators are customizable to best suit your requirements. The design of the fully reflective solar simulator permits a trade-off between power and uniformity. Higher uniformity can be achieved with lower power; or power can be increased and uniformity reduced.
More Information
About Our Fully Reflective Class ABA Solar Simulators
Sciencetech manufactures four high power versions of Class ABA Fully Reflective Solar Simulators. Schiencetech's properietary fully reflective design uses metal coated mirrors and passes the whole spectrum, no compromise. This is a distinct advantage over refractive based systems that are limited by the properties of the transparent material used.
The fully reflective design utilizes a series of mirrors, including a special folding mirror that bends the light source without the drawbacks of refractive optics. This allows the simulator to direct the light beam from the arc lamp source to the target plane, producing a higher intensity, uniform illumination at the target plane than a competitor’s simulators.
In Sciencetech’s line of fully reflective solar simulators the power output will typically be 1.3 times more powerful when compared to simulators that use the same wattage of arc lamp with diffusers to make the light field uniform at the target.
The high pressure xenon lamp used in each simulator projects an excellent basic match for solar simulation. The solar spectral distribution at different Earth conditions can be simulated through use of Air Mass filters AM0 for Solar Simulator.
For more variation of where your test surface is located, several simulators can be mounted on a vertical stand, and if coupled with a beam turning accessory, enable the simulator’s ability to project towards a floor, wall, or ceiling, depending on your research requirements.
The air mass filters used with each simulator are 3" x 3" in size and can be easily switched in each model via a built-in access panel. There are two AM filter slots in each simulator; additional slots can be added upon consultation.
| Models | SS0.5 | SS1.0 | SS1.6 | SS2.5 |
| Specification | 165-9002 | 165-9001 | 165-9007 | 165-9008 |
| Solar Simulator Type | Steady-State | Steady State | Steady-State | Steady-State |
| Target Diameter (mm)1 | 76.2 | 127 | 152.4 | 203.2 |
| Target Diameter (mm)1 (with CTBT-SS or DFS-SS) | 70 | 115 | 140 | 185 |
| Beam Orientation2 | Horizontal | Horizontal | Horizontal | Horizontal |
| Working Distance (mm)4 | 450 | 750 | 900 | 1050 |
| Working Distance (mm)4 (with CTBT-SS or DFS-SS option) | 310 | 610 | 760 | 910 |
| Solar Simulator Classification | ABA | ABA | ABA | ABA |
| Unfiltered Spectral Range (nm) | 250-2500 | 250-2500 | 250-2500 | 250-2500 |
| Spectral Match Classification3 | A | A | A | A |
| Spatial Non-uniformity4 (%)3 | < 5% | < 5% | < 5% | < 5% |
| Spatial Non-uniformity Class3 | B | B | B | B |
| Temporal Instability Class3 | A | A | A | A |
| Temporal Instability (%)3 | Less 2% | Less 2% | Less 2% | Less 2% |
| Collimation Half Angle (deg)6 | < 3 | < 3 | < 3 | < 3 |
| Lamp Type | Xenon Short Arc | Xenon Short Arc | Xenon Short Arc | Xenon Short Arc |
| Lamp Power (W) | 500 | 1000 | 1600 | 2500 |
| Maximum Illumination Intensity5 | 1 Sun | 1 Sun | 1 Sun | 1 Sun |
| Simulator Dimensions (mm) | 50x50x123 | 50x50x123 | 50x50x123 | |
| Simulator Weight (kg) | 55 | 55 | 55 | |
| Control Unit Description | Integrated Touchscreen | Integrated Touchscreen | Integrated Touchscreen | Integrated Touchscreen |
| Control Unit Model | 611-0.5k | 611-1k | 611-1.6k | 621-2.5k |
| Lamp Life (hours) | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 |
1: Determined at 1 Sun AM1.5G, measured against ASTM E927-10
2: With addition of CTBT-SS or DFS-SS the beam orientation can be rotated in 90 degree increments
3: Measured according to ASTM E927-10, measurements are reported for each system in a test report.
4: A variation of +/- 15% in working distance can be expected due to system alignment variability, the exact working distance determined for each system is reported in a test report.
5: Determined with a calibrated reference cell under AM1.5G illumination conditions.
6: Typically not measured for each system produced
Configuration
Sciencetech's fully reflective solar simulators can be configured to suit your requirements.
The homogenizer can be customized to include a computer controllable shutter or a variable focus option that lets you position the uniform plane at different working distances from the output of the simulator.
Numerous filtering options are available. Some filter options are added to the beam line through the built in filter drawer. Other filtering options require the addition of a beam turning filter holder.
A range of solar cell chucks with options such as vacuum clamps, thermoelectric or water cooling, micropositioners as well as complete IV testing software and hardware are also available.
The SS0.5k through SS1.6k models can be mounted on a vertical stand for downward facing operation. Note that the SS2.5k model must be mounted on a table for downward facing operation.
Homogenizer Configuration Options
| SKU | Description |
| 165-8005 | (SSES) High Power Shutter Assembly for SS-0.502.5k Solar Simulators |
| 165-8011 | (SSVF-SS) Solar Simulator Variable Focus |
| Contact Us | Homogenizer Output Window (G1 Quartz) for Sealed Homogenizer Option |
| Contact Us | Homogenizer Output Window (Si-UV) for Sealed Homogenizer Option |
Output Flange Options
| SKU | Description |
| 165-8018 | (CTBT-SS) Beam Turner for SS0.5K, SS1.0K, SS1.6K |
| 165-8034 | (CTBT-RF) Beam Turner for SS Series with Replaceable Filter |
Body Options
| SKU | Description |
| 165-8030 | (BASE-SS) Foot Base Assembly, DFS, SS150, SS0.5-1.6KW |
| 165-8016 | (DFS-SS) Downward Facing Vertical Stand for Fully Reflective Solar Simulators (SS0.5-1.6KW) |
| 165-8047 | (BASE-SS-ROLL) Solar Simulator Base Assembly With Castors |
Sample Tray Options
| SKU | Description |
| 165-9006 | (SSES) High Power Shutter Assembly for SS-0.502.5k Solar Simulators |
| A range of Solar Cell Chucks and Sample Colling and Holding Accessories are Available |
Spectral Filters
| SKU | Description |
| 640-9005 | 75mm Mesh 34% Neutral Density Filter with Holder |
| 640-9006 | 75mm Mesh 49% Neutral Density Filter with Holder |
| 640-9007 | 75mm Mesh 71% Neutral Density Filter with Holder |
| 640-9011 | Visible Longpass Filter (400 +/- 6nm) with Holder |
| 640-9012 | Hot Mirror for UV Applications - 3" Square |
| 640-8005 | Pass UV-VIS Block IR - Heat Absorbing Glass |
| 640-8006 | Pass VIS-IR block UV A+B - 0 Deg Option (WG395) |
| 640-8007 | Pass UVA-VIS-IR Block UV B |
| 640-8010 | Pass UV A+B, Block VIS, Block IR - 0 Deg Filter Option |
| 640-8012 | Pass UV A+B, Pass Some IR, Block VIS - 0 Deg Filter Option |
| 640-8013 | Cut UVB and Below, Pass UV A and Above 0 Deg |
Air Mass Filters
| SKU | Description |
| 160-8020 | Air Mass AM0 Filter for SS Series Solar (Standard Range) |
| 160-8022 | Air Mass AM1.0D Filter for SS Series Solar (Standard Range) |
| 160-8024 | Air Mass AM1.5G Filter for SS Series Solar (Standard Range) |
| 160-8026 | Air Mass AM1.5D Filter for SS Series Solar (Standard Range) |
| 160-8028 | Air Mass AM2.0D Filter for SS Series Solar (Standard Range) |
Homogenizer IR Water Fitlers
| SKU | Description |
| 160-8042 | IR Water Filter, 3" Stainless Steel, Fused Silica Windows |
| 160-8043 | IR Water Filter, 3" Stainless Steel, BK7 Windows |
Beam Turning Fitlers, 45° (used with 165-8034)
| SKU | Description |
| 160-8004 | Pass VIS, Block UV, IR - CTBT Option |
| 160-8008 | Pass IR, Block UV, Block VIS |
| 160-8011 | Pass UVA+B, Bk VIS+IR - CTBT Option |