Various optical system embodiments produce a narrow beam of focused or unfocused light using a compound parabolic concentrator, lens system, and high flux density solid-state light source. Various system embodiments include a solid state light source configured to emit light, and a compound parabolic concentrator having a smaller opening and a larger opening opposite the smaller opening, wherein the light source and the concentrator are operationally positioned with respect to each other for light from the light source to enter the smaller opening of the concentrator and exit the larger opening of the concentrator as a narrower beam of light. Some embodiments include an imaging stage operationally positioned with respect to the concentrator to receive the narrower beam of light at an image plane and relay an image plane to a far field target.