Uses of ultra-high solar flux

The authors report on 3 projects at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory which utilize nonimaging optics with solar concentrations > 10,000 suns. First, the authors summarize a successful demonstration experiment to produce and measure 50,000 suns with an output power approaching 1 kW. The technique used to measure the light incorporated an extractor tip and has important solar thermal implications. Second, they have finalized and modeled the design of a solar concentrator system that can be used to produce fullerenes, a new type of carbon molecule. Finally, the authors have developed a Nd:YAG side-pumped laser that is designed to achieve an output power of > 60 Watts. They discuss the implications and uses of each of these projects.