Researchers have developed a step-by-step design method for determining which freeform surfaces will work best in a given configuration. The new method, which combines theory and practice, could eliminate the time-consuming, expensive process of using trial-and-error to determine which freeform surfaces will best achieve the desired result. The method developed at the University of Rochester’s Center for Freeform Optics (CeFO) starts with the initial “folding geometry” (alignment of mirrors and lenses) for an optical design and then, based on an analysis of the various...Read full articleRelated content from Photonics MediaARTICLESDiamond Metalens Could Improve Quantum Device Performance and ScalabilityAt the chemical level, diamonds are no more than carbon atoms aligned in a 3D crystal lattice. Even a diamond that looks flawless contains defects that can absorb or emit light. Small defects in...Photonics Spectra August 2019 IssueDynamically Tunable 'Smartlens' Can Shape Light for Various FunctionsThe integration of an adjustable-dynamic zoom lens in a thin cellphone, in a miniaturized microscope, or at the remote end of a medical endoscope requires complex lenses that can handle the full...Photonics Spectra October 2019 IssueNoncontact Metrology for Aspherical LensesFreeform and aspheric optics have become popular because they provide better performance than traditional optics and can do so with fewer optical elements. The downside of the higher performance is...Photonics Spectra June 2020 IssueConsumer AR/VR Headsets Focus on Nontraditional OpticsThe promise of commercial augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies seems always to be just around the corner. Nearly three decades have passed since the Sega Corporation announced its Sega...Photonics Spectra May 2019 IssuePRODUCTSLightweight MirrorsLightweight mirror design techniques from Optical Surfaces Ltd. can reduce the weight of a mirror by as much as 60%. Lightweight mirrors are designed to provide sufficient rigidity to ensure...Photonics.com 8/4/2020Off-Axis Parabolic MirrorsOff-Axis Parabolic (OAP) Mirrors from Optical Surfaces Ltd. combine the achromatic and diffraction-limited imaging properties of a parabolic mirror with the ability to deviate the light path off-axis...Photonics.com 2/10/2020Hyperbolic MirrorsHyperbolic mirrors from Optical Surfaces Ltd. are designed for deep space observation telescopes and earth observation satellites. Hyperbolic mirrors are used in a telescope design to correct...Photonics Spectra October 2019 IssueOptical MountsOptical Surfaces Ltd.’s high-precision OS Mounts support off-axis paraboloids, spheres, and optical flats up to 600 mm in diameter. The devices provide a secure and stable platform for...Photonics.com 4/29/2020PHOTONICS HANDBOOK ARTICLESPlastic Optics: Specifying Injection-Molded Polymer Optics: The versatility of polymer optics opens new doors for optical designers who understand the whys and hows of specifications.The use of precision polymer optics is becoming an increasing necessity today as products demand sophisticated light handling components to achieve desired results. Polymer optics can be thought of...Photonics HandbookAspheric Lenses: Optimizing the Design: This second of two articles discusses the tools optical designers need to tailor their designs to the appropriate manufacturing process, optimizing the cost of component fabrication.With the understanding of aspheric lens manufacturing provided in part one of this article, designers have the tools to optimize their aspheres; the next step is to understand how to specify and...Photonics HandbookAspheric Lenses: Design Considerations: This first of two articles will cover design and manufacturing options for aspheres; the second will include more detail on manufacturing and testing processes. These articles will provide the tools optics designers need to tailor their designs to the appropriate manufacturing process and to optimize the cost of component fabrication.Aspheric surfaces are powerful tools that combine the optical corrections of multiple lenses into a single element (Figure 1) and affect performance in ways that spherical optics cannot. For example,...Photonics HandbookMeasuring Aspheres: Selecting the Best Technique: The metrology method should match the nature of the part and the inspection constraints.The benefits of aspheric lenses are numerous: They allow for a reduction in spherical aberrations and are ideal for focusing or collimating light, as they can achieve a low ƒ-number. Aspheres...Photonics HandbookWHITEPAPERSMeasuring Aspheres in a 3-D WorldThis white paper provides a basic practical guide on the benefits of 3-D measurements of aspheres as well as a couple of real-world examples of parts that we have manufactured. This white paper also...Photonics.com 4/1/2019Aspherics CapabilitiesAspheres have become increasingly popular due to its ability to reduce or even eliminate spherical aberration, to create a more compact optical system. Hyperion Optics has accumulated extensive...Photonics.com 10/22/2019Manufacturing Considerations for Tolerancing AspheresAs aspheres become more prevalent in optical systems, it is important for lens designers to consider the various tolerances when designing an aspheric lens. The following is provided from the...Photonics.com 9/1/20205 Most Common Mistakes in Designing Precision Super Hard ComponentsOver nearly four decades, IRD has been manufacturing precision optical and non-optical components in super hard materials. Roughly 80% of the designs have benefited from IRD’s proprietary Design for...Photonics.com 9/1/2019WEBINARSThe Past, Present and Future of Freeform OpticsFree Webinar Post Webinar Notes We will be posting additional questions and answers from the webinar soon. The presentation slides will not be available for download but we will have a list...Photonics.com 11/13/2013Emergence of Freeform Optics in Imaging Systems: A Leap ForwardFollowing a brief introduction, professor Jannick Rolland will discuss the historical context and applications for freeform optics. She will then present mathematical descriptions and the latest...Photonics.com 2/27/2019Innovation Along the Value Chain: Creating Optics for Metrology ApplicationsToday, process innovation is as important as product innovation to the creation of a competitive product. The entire value chain, from the definition of the specifications based on the needs of the...Photonics.com 4/29/2020High-End Asphere Design for ManufacturabilityIn this webinar, Edmund Optics’ asphere experts will discuss the benefits of using aspheres in optical system design and the factors to take into account during the design process. You will...Photonics.com 8/28/2019PHOTONICS DICTIONARY TERMSlenticularAn array or mosaic of optical surfaces. May be a number of lenses closely packed to form multiple images or many parallel cylinders used as a projection screen.EDU.photonics.com 9/8/2009optical cementA permanent, transparent, and highly transmissive adhesive capable of withstanding extreme temperatures that is applied to optical surfaces for the purpose of cementing, or the sticking together of...EDU.photonics.com 3/5/2018lenticular screenA rear or front projection screen composed of minute optical surfaces that introduce a spread to the light beam that conforms approximately to the light distribution requirements of the application.EDU.photonics.com 9/8/2009rugateBearing alternate ridges and grooves; corrugated. Said of some optical surfaces.EDU.photonics.com 9/8/2009MEDIABinding Light in Optics and Photonics - LIGHT MATTERS 11.2017Tune into this month's edition of Light Matters for 'Part 1' of an exclusive interview with SPIE CEO, Eugene Arthurs, as he speaks about his upcoming retirement. We’ll also take you to Rochester,...Photonics.com 11/17/2017Optics and Photonics at the Hub of the Industry - LIGHT MATTERS 10.2017Tune into this month's edition of Light Matters for some of the highlights from Optifab 2017, as distributors and buyers from all over the world met in the photonics industry hub of Rochester, New...Photonics.com 10/26/2017Light Matters Extra: Optifab 2017 - 10.2017In this month's Light Matters Extra, we give you an in-depth look at North America's largest optical fabrication exhibition and show – Optifab 2017. 188 companies filled the showroom floor of the...Photonics.com 10/26/2017Light Matters Extra: Optics & Photonics Technology Program, STCC - 09.2017In this month’s Light Matters Extra, we take you to the Springfield Technical Community College campus and introduce you to Professor Nick Massa, who has been teaching Optics and Photonics there for...Photonics.com 9/28/2017PHOTONICS BUYERS' GUIDE CATEGORIESFreeform OpticsAngular and Linear Measuring InterferometersAspheric LensesAn aspheric lens is a lens element in which at least one face is shaped to a surface of revolution about the lens axis, including conic sections but excluding a sphere.ScatterometersA scatterometer is an instrument used to determine the absolute or relative scatter levels of optical surfaces.COMPANIESII-VI Aerospace & Defense Inc.As a vertically integrated provider, II-VI Aerospace & Defense is uniquely positioned to meet the critical and complex design, engineering and production requirements of customers in the...Photonics Buyers' GuideLaCroix Precision OpticsOptics that Defend, Build, Cure and Discover The LaCroix name is synonymous with quality precision optics. Since 1947, three generations of family leadership have placed LaCroix Precision Optics...Photonics Buyers' GuideA.R.W. Optical CorporationARW Optical is your reliable manufacturer of quality optics and coatings. Beamsplitters • Prototyping through volume-production quantities • High-performance and durable optical...Photonics Buyers' GuideFresnel Technologies Inc.Fresnel Technologies Inc. is an expert manufacturer of molded plastic optics, including Fresnel lenses and related optical components, as well as infrared transmitting materials and optics made from...Photonics Buyers' Guide