Sun-tracking optical element realized using thermally activated transparency-switching material

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel thermally-activated optical element that can dynamically track a light source, using a transparency-switching material for potential applications like self-tracking solar collectors.

Contribution

Introduces a new light-responsive aperture using paraffin wax and PDMS that can dynamically track moving light sources.

Findings

Localized transparency forms at the focal spot upon illumination.

The device can potentially be used for self-tracking solar collectors.

Proof of concept demonstrated successfully.

Abstract

We present a proof of concept demonstration of a novel optical element: a light-responsive aperture that can track a moving light beam. The element is created using a thermally-activated transparency-switching material composed of paraffin wax and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Illumination of the material with a focused beam causes the formation of a localized transparency at the focal spot location, due to local heating caused by absorption of a portion of the incident light. An application is proposed in a new design for a self-tracking solar collector.