Light can be concentrated in to bright spot by using a lens.ie,light is 'intensified'.Similarly, is it possible to concentrate heat energy, say, by using a "thermal lens"?
2006-10-10 07:15:24 · 6 answers · asked by Sasry.S.M M 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Yes, the optics are similar. The difference is in the wavelength.
There are infrared cameras that focus infrared energy to make images of the energy.
http://www.ipac.caltech.edu/Outreach/Edu/Guess/img2.html
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2006-10-10 07:19:33 · answer #1 · answered by odu83 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - If the temperature of a surface is at some value say 500deg or more and the surface is part of a cylinder, The radiated energy from that surface is concentrated at the center of the cylinder. This principle is used in Lasers to pump the power level of a laser by a ring of other lasers or radiator's to pump more energy into a primary Laser.
2006-10-10 07:30:27 · answer #2 · answered by dancoyle2k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat is part of the electromagnetic spectrum just like light. It's just that the wavelength is different.
Never burned an ant using a magnifying glass and the sun?
2006-10-10 07:22:24 · answer #3 · answered by Bill N 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that is what solar panels (and solar ponds) for a solar battery are. From what I understand, the problem with using solar energy for widescale use has to do with how difficult it is to transport. It loses efficiency.
2006-10-10 07:25:11 · answer #4 · answered by Buffy Summers 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can and I'm not a scientist or anything like that. Yeah is common sense.
2006-10-10 11:58:35 · answer #5 · answered by creditloandone 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.rp-photonics.com/thermal_lensing.html
2006-10-10 07:22:55 · answer #6 · answered by liketoaskq 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋