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 7/5/2018Optics: Form, Function and the FutureFor all of their diversity of form and function, the vast range of available optical components and optical fibers have much in common — materials, engineering and design, and techniques in...Photonics Spectra October 2017 IssueMultidisciplinary 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 5/21/2018YouTube Phenom Builds Lasers From Spare PartsDrake Anthony calls himself a professional mad scientist on YouTube. That’s because … well … he sort of is. Anthony has built his own lasers since he was 12, when he first...Photonics Spectra April 2018 IssuePRODUCTSMounted Reference Flat MirrorOptical Surfaces Ltd. has announced a 600-mm diameter mounted reference flat mirror that will enable the alignment of laser beam expanders. The silver coated, two-axis, gimbal mounted reference...Photonics Spectra October 2017 IssueAthermalized Beam ExpandersAthermalized beam expanders from Optical Surfaces Ltd. deliver stable, high performance. The expanders are based on a Dall-Kirkham off-axis mirror design that incorporates INVAR elements to...Photonics.com 8/21/2018Off-Axis ParaboloidsOff-Axis Paraboloids from Optical Surfaces Ltd. are suitable for broadband and multiple-wavelength applications due to their achromatic performance characteristics. The devices can be produced...Photonics Spectra October 2017 IssueFizeau InterferometerA 600-mm Fizeau interferometer from Optical Surfaces Ltd. enables the offering of quality flats testing in a single aperture up to 600 mm in diameter. Housed in an ultrastable testing...Photonics Spectra June 2018 IssueMEDIALight 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 11/17/2017Merging Industry and Education Through Photonics - LIGHT MATTERS 09.2017Tune into this month’s edition of Light Matters for the complete list of Photonics Media’s Industry Beacon award winners. We’ll also introduce you to an Industry Beacon in the Educator category, and...Photonics.com 9/28/2017WHITEPAPERSMeet 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 8/20/2018Use Injection Molded Plastic Optics to Reduce System CostPlastic optics in complex optical systems offer many advantages over glass. Designers and manufacturers will gain competitive advantages by using well designed plastic optics in applications well...Photonics.com 5/17/2017Improving Focusing Quality of Spherical LensesEmploying aspherical lenses to reduce aberrations to improve focusing qualities is a well-known concept. But the potpourri of aspherical surfaces offers way more possibilities, even the chance for...Photonics.com 8/11/2017Various Beam Shaping Applications Utilizing AxiconsEmploying aspherical lenses to reduce aberrations to improve focusing qualities is a well-known concept. But the potpourri of aspherical surfaces offers way more possibilities, even the chance for...Photonics.com 8/11/2017WEBINARSThe 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 2/27/2019New 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 6/30/2016Aspheres: Tolerancing for High PerformanceJoin us for a FREE webinar – Wednesday, June 25, 2014, 1 - 2 p.m. EDT Dan Bajuk is Technical Director of ZYGO’s Extreme Precision Optics group in Richmond, California. He has 40...Photonics.com 6/25/2014PHOTONICS 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 3/5/2018microdensitometerThe fundamental tool of microdensitometry, the microdensitometer is an instrument used for the precise measurement of microscopic optical densities (i.e. optical absorption) by detection of faint...EDU.photonics.com 3/5/2018optical axis (OA)The imaginary line passing through both the centers of curvatures of the optical surfaces of a lens or mirror; the optical centerline for all the centers of an optical element(s) of an optical...EDU.photonics.com 3/5/2018PHOTONICS 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 HandbookOptical Design Software: Fundamentals and Potential: Enhanced interface usability in modern design software enables even inexperienced lens designers to build well-performing optical systems.Optical design software allows the user to develop a configuration of optical elements that manipulate the trajectory of light for the purposes of creating an image, illuminating a target, coupling...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 HandbookPHOTONICS 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 Optical SystemsHIGH ENERGY LASER SOLUTIONS - II-VI Optical Systems provides collaborative support through all project phases, including consulting services at the project requirements definition phase, conceptual...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