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How do we model parallel beams from a source? It’s shown in pictures, yet all the associated text is for approximating to a point source. 

I tried modeling the sun as a radial source and just got a single ray, instead of a array or rays that are all parallel, covering the incident surface.

This must be simple, just haven't found it in the documentation..

Thanks,

Josh

 

 

 

 

Hi Josh,

 

Assuming you are talking about the non-sequential mode, for parallel rays, I think you are better off with a Source Rectangle or Source Ellispe.

I’m not sure I understood the problem, but have a look at the file attached, and let me know if that’s what you had in mind.

Take care,

 

David


Hi David,

thanks for your reply. The profile looks correct. 

The sun occupies an angle of 0.25 degrees in the sky. It’s obviously very, very far away, yet still can cover a 1 m2 square (or any size really) with 1000 Watts/m2 of direct (parallel) beams. I sort of figured it out by making my source as large as the detector. Then all the arrays are parallel beams. Maybe there’s a better way. Now trying to figure out how to model the power correctly...

Thanks for your help!

Josh


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