Abstract Freeform optics constitutes a new technology that is currently driving substantial changes in illumination design. It liberates designers and engineers from restrictions of optical surface geometry, enabling them to achieve compact, lightweight, efficient systems with excellent performance. used widely for both fundamental research practical applications. This Review focuses on the design freeform optics, which key factor advancing development engineering. The methods can be divided...

In this work, a new two-dimensional optics design method is proposed that enables the coupling of three ray sets with two lens surfaces. The especially important for optical systems designed wide field view and clearly separated Fermat's principle used to deduce set functional differential equations fully describing entire system. presented general analytic solution makes it possible calculate profiles. Ray tracing results calculated 15th order Taylor polynomials profiles demonstrate...

Including free-form optical components in imaging systems provides numerous opportunities for enhanced performance and compact, lightweight packaging. This applies especially to the use of optics off-axis applications. In case on-axis imaging, rotationally symmetric lenses are typically used, as they greatly simplify design manufacturing process. However, applications with high aspect ratio, can help provide solutions clearly better overall performance. For such cases, ray tracing...

This feature issue of Optics Express highlights 28 state-of-the-art articles that capture a snapshot the recent developments in field freeform optics. As an introduction, editors provide overview all published articles, which cover broad range topics The wide variety applications presented here demonstrates optics is growing and vibrant with many more innovations to come.

The two-dimensional analytic optics design method presented in a previous paper [Opt.Express 20, 5576-5585 (2012)] is extended this work to the three-dimensional case, enabling coupling of three ray sets with two free-form lens surfaces.Fermat's principle used deduce additional functional differential equations which make it possible calculate surfaces.Ray tracing simulations demonstrate excellent imaging performance resulting lenses described by more than 100 coefficients.

The economic use of high-efficiency solar cells in photovoltaics requires high concentration sunlight and therefore precise dual-axis tracking the sun. Due to their size bulkiness, these trackers are less adequate for small- mid-scale installations like flat rooftops. Our approach combine concentrating utilizes two laterally moving lens arrays. presented analytic optics design method allows direct calculation free-form surfaces while incorporating lateral movement. obtained performance...

So far, illumination optics design for extended sources (like LEDs) has been mainly treated as perturbations of ideal point without any extent. Such approaches work well provided that this case is approximately met. However, the demand very compact luminaires equipped with modern high-brightness LEDs results in configurations where actual size cannot be ignored. Here, we develop a “wavefront tailoring” method producing prescribed patterns while fully encompassing source size. We combine...

In this work, we present a multifield direct design method for ultrashort throw ratio projection optics. The allows us to directly calculate two freeform mirror profiles, which are fitted by odd polynomials and imported into an optical program as excellent starting point. Afterward, these mirrors represented XY polynomial surfaces further optimization. final configuration consists of off-the-shelf lens greatly shorten the regular distance from 2 m 48 cm 78.3 inch diagonal screen. values...

Reflective imaging systems form an important part of photonic devices such as spectrometers, telescopes, augmented and virtual reality headsets or lithography platforms. optics provide unparalleled spectral performance can be used to reduce overall volume weight. So far, most reflective designs have focused on two three reflections, while four-reflection freeform deliver a higher light throughput (faster F-number) well larger field-of-view (FOV). However, advanced optical design strategies...

In this work the concept of tracking-integrated concentrating photovoltaics is studied and its capabilities are quantitatively analyzed. The design strategy desists from ideal concentration performance to reduce external mechanical solar tracking effort in favor a compact installation, possibly resulting lower overall cost. proposed optical based on an extended Simultaneous Multiple Surface (SMS) algorithm uses two laterally moving plano-convex lenses achieve high over wide angular range...

Abstract For more than 150 years, scientists have advanced aberration theory to describe, analyze and eliminate imperfections that disturb the imaging quality of optical components systems. Simultaneously, they developed design methods for manufacturing techniques systems with ever-increasing complexity performance up point where are now including elements unrestricted in their surface shape. These so-called freeform offer degrees freedom can greatly extend functionalities further boost...

Multi-chip and large size LEDs dominate the lighting market in developed countries these days. Nevertheless, a general optical design method to create prescribed intensity patterns for this type of extended sources does not exist. We present strategy which source target pattern are described by means "edge wavefronts" system. The goal is then finding an optic coupling wavefronts, current work monolithic part comprising up three freeform surfaces calculated with simultaneous multiple surface...

Many laser applications require specific irradiance distributions to ensure optimal performance. Geometric optical design methods based on numerical calculation of two plano-aspheric lenses have been thoroughly studied in the past. In this work, we present an alternative new approach functional differential equations that allows direct rotational symmetric lens profiles described by two-point Taylor polynomials. The formalism is used a Gaussian flat-top beam shaping system but also generate...

Many laser applications require specific irradiance distributions to ensure optimal performance. In addition, some can benefit from time-varying distributions. this work, we present the analytic design of a zoom XY-beam expander based on movable freeform optics that allows simultaneously vary magnification in x- and y-direction, respectively. This concept is not new: new optimally exploit lenses achieve such an optical functionality. comparison with beam expanders use combinations rotated...

Sizing down the dimensions of solar concentrators for photovoltaic applications offers a number promising advantages. It provides thinner modules and smaller cells, which reduces thermal issues. In this work plane Fresnel lens design is introduced that first analyzed with geometrical optics. Because miniaturization, pure ray tracing may no longer be valid to determine concentration performance. Therefore, quantitative wave optical analysis miniaturization's influence on obtained performance...

Most existing techniques that are typically used by specialists to image the cornea based on point, slit, or annular scanning due a narrow field of view. The difficulty in achieving larger view comes from convex shape human eyeball. Field curvature for refractive imaging system with positive power is negative and thus concave surface. In order full sclera snapshot imaging, we calculate qualified two- three-mirror solutions Seidel aberration theory. A solution further optimized as...

Including an entrance pupil in optical systems provides clear benefits for balancing the overall performance of freeform and/or rotationally symmetric imaging systems. Current existing direct design methods that are based on perfect few discrete ray bundles not well suited wide field view In this paper, a three-dimensional multi-fields approach is proposed to balance full two-surface lens. The path lengths and image points numerous fields calculated during procedures, wherefore very initial...

Freeform tailoring optics are core components in advanced illumination and laser technologies. In this work, we propose an efficient streamlined design method to face the challenges its implementation. We integrate ray-mapping least squares calculations with freeform surface optimization tools embedded commercial optical software. As a result, complexity of beam shaping is significantly reduced by only adapting built-in merit function. demonstrate feasibility our approach through three...

In this work, a multifields optical design method aiming to calculate two high-order aspheric lens profiles with an embedded entrance pupil is proposed. This direct algorithm capable of partially coupling more than three ray bundles that enter the same only surfaces. Both infinite and finite conjugate objectives can be designed approach. Additional constraints such as surface continuity smoothness are taken into account smooth accurate contours described by point clouds. The calculated...

A new three-dimensional analytic optics design method is presented that enables the coupling of three ray sets with only two free-form lens surfaces. Closely related to Simultaneous Multiple Surface in dimensions (SMS3D), it derived directly from Fermat's principle, leading multiple functional differential equations. The general solution these equations makes possible calculate more than 80 coefficients for each implicit surface function. Ray tracing simulations lenses demonstrate superior...

In this work, a new two-dimensional analytic optics design method is presented that enables the coupling of three ray sets with two lens profiles. This particularly promising for optical systems designed wide field view and clearly separated surfaces. However, can only be achieved if different will use portions second profile. Based on very basic example single thick lens, Simultaneous Multiple Surfaces in dimensions (SMS2D) help to provide better understanding practical implications process...

We show the functional extension of a standard ray tracer to be capable tracing light fields different degrees coherence through complex optical systems. The are represented by spherical waves. An approximate reconstruction field is possible at arbitrary positions in an system under investigation. Therefore, we can calculate intensity distribution as well degree between two points positions. Simulations properties basic systems, which described analytically, excellent agreement with theory....

A refractive laser beam shaper typically consists of either two plano-aspheric lenses or one thick lens with aspherical surfaces. Ray mapping is a general optical design technique for irradiance reshaping based on geometric optics. Although ray mapping, in principle, allows generating any rotational-symmetric profile, the literature this mainly used to transform Gaussian profile uniform profile. For more complex profiles, especially low intensity inner region (such as annular profiles), high...

We present a compact freeform optic, called "Freeform Shell-Mixer", which, when placed on top of multicolor light source (particularly, multi-chip LED), turns it into virtual in which colors are uniformly mixed. The compatible with injection molding, makes use étendue-conserving Köhler integration to provide homogeneous mixing light. Its minimal size (just 2x larger than the source) concept many luminaries, as ray tracing models show. Simulations indicate that Freeform Shell-Mixer can reach...

In this work, an optical design approach is presented to ultrashort throw distance projection system by combination of off-the-shelf refractive lens and two off-axis freeform mirrors. These mirrors are used greatly shorten the more than three times compared conventional (rotationally symmetric) systems, while still maintaining a good imaging quality. Firstly, direct method that enables simultaneous calculation freeform-profile partially coupling fields introduced. The specifications taken...