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...Read full articleRelated content from Photonics MediaARTICLESCapasso Group Develops Flat Lenses with Same Technology Used to Make ChipsOptics and lenses are everywhere. They’re in laptops, cameras, and telescopes. Focusing the entire visible spectrum with lenses has been a challenge because each wavelength moves through...Photonics.com 7/5/2018Multidisciplinary Initiative Investigates Light as an Energy SourceAn interdisciplinary group of scientists is embarking on a five-year project to explore the use of photoswitches to develop a next generation of devices that operate mechanically upon exposure to...Photonics.com 5/21/2018Innovations in Lens MeasurementAutomobile cameras, telescopes, head-mounted displays, laser-focusing heads and other modern photonic devices incorporate high-grade optics that can perform under extreme environmental conditions....Photonics Spectra March 2018 IssueDiamond 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 IssuePRODUCTSHyperbolic 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 IssueSpherical MirrorsSpherical mirrors from Optical Surfaces Ltd. feature radii from 25 to 5000 mm for use in UV-VIS and IR applications. Typical achievable surface accuracy is better than lambda/30 pv, surface...Photonics Spectra August 2019 IssueSpectroscopic PrismsSpectroscopic Prisms from Optical Surfaces Ltd. are high-quality, uncoated and coated optics for image rotation, inversion, re-direction, and dispersion of light. Operating in a stable...Photonics.com 11/21/2019Laser WindowsHigh-power laser windows up to 600 mm in diameter from Optical Surfaces Ltd. feature a typical wavefront error of λ/10 and a surface finish of 40/20 to 10/5. The devices come in a range...EuroPhotonics Summer 2019 IssuePHOTONICS 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: 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 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 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 HandbookWHITEPAPERSMeet Your Augmented and Virtual Reality Challenges Head-On: Design Your Next System with 2D-Q Freeforms in CODE VThe most challenging optical designs today need precise non-spherical surface shapes. A new surface formulation specified by G.W. Forbes describes a “freeform” surface with orthogonal polynomial...Photonics.com 8/20/2018Measuring 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 10/22/2019Replacing Hard to Source and Obsolete Optical ComponentsPeriodically organisations are faced with replacing hard to source or obsolete optical components within their camera, sensor, or instrument systems. It is at this critical point that you have to...Photonics.com 5/24/2019WEBINARSThe 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 2/27/2019High-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 8/28/2019New Optics Drawings StandardsJoin us for a FREE webinar! Dave Aikens, the leader of the project to adopt ISO 10110 as an American National Standard, will provide an introduction of OP1.0110, the American National Standard for...Photonics.com 6/30/2016PHOTONICS 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 3/5/2018magnetorheological finishing (MRF)A method of deterministically polishing high-quality optical surfaces by applying a magnetic force to a fluidlike suspension of magnetic particles. The surface finish pattern for the part is...EDU.photonics.com 1/14/2013scattered light filterA specific type of filter designed to reduce the amount of light scattered by reflections from the edges of optical components or mounts, or from irregularities on the optical surfaces.EDU.photonics.com 9/8/2009MEDIALight 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 10/26/2017Optics 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 10/26/2017Binding 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 11/17/2017Light 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 InterferometersScatterometersA scatterometer is an instrument used to determine the absolute or relative scatter levels of optical surfaces.Aspheric 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.COMPANIESII-VI Optical SystemsAs a vertically integrated provider, II-VI Optical Systems is uniquely positioned to meet the critical and complex design, engineering and production requirements of customers in the aerospace and...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' GuideDiverse Optics Inc.Diverse Optics transforms optical systems from expensive, heavy, and complicated to commercially viable, lightweight, and simple. We manufacture custom precision polymer optic components and...Photonics Buyers' GuideNu-Tek Precision Optical CorporationFor over 25 years, Nu-Tek has been manufacturing and designing large and small custom optics, and optomechanical assemblies for use in the UV, VIS and IR spectrum. This includes precision aspheres,...Photonics Buyers' Guide