A Segmented-Mirror Solar Furnace for High-Intensity Thermal Radiation Studies

Abstract

A solar furnace is described, in which an array of many small plane mirrors is used to produce radiation of practically uniform intensity (up to about 5.5 cal/cm² sec) over an area 5 cm square. This relatively large area of irradiation is required for experiments in which edge effects must be kept to a minimum, and could not have been obtained by means of a conventional continuously curved mirror of reasonable focal length and of moderate cost. The performance of the segmented‐mirror furnace over a 15 month period is analyzed.