Fast, deterministic computation of irradiance values using a single extended source in 3D. JRC-SCI Magazine.

Presented is a quasi-analytic method for irradiance evaluation through a single refractive surface from a single Lambertian source. The method is compared to Monte-Carlo raytracing for a sample system, producing in much less time an irradiance distribution equal to within the latter’s statistical noise. In addition to its interest to optical analysis, the method is also useful for optical design problems by allowing for fast, noise-free evaluation of merit functions, along with their derivatives.