A modified indirect flux mapping system for high-flux solar simulators

Abstract To further make a compromise among the accuracy, convenience, safety, and measuring power range of the flux mapping in the high-flux solar simulator, a modified indirect flux mapping system that combines a water-cooled Lambertian target and a gray spot superposition method was firstly designed. Then, measuring errors of the modified system were analyzed, which were found to be acceptable. Then, a comparison between the modified system and a reference indirect system was conducted, indicating that the modified system is reliable. Then, based on the modified system, the flux distributions of a 30 kWe high-flux solar simulator were measured, finding the modified system can exceed the upper limit of the reference indirect system which burned a target under a relatively small power value. In addition, more analysis pointed out that the modified system can reduce the system complexity and improve the mapping accuracy compared with the direct or traditional indirect flux mapping systems. Results from current study indicated the modified system is reliable and suitable for wide-range flux mapping of the solar simulator.