This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 12798, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, and Conference Committee information.

We present a nano-to-macroscale design methodology for hybrid metalens refractive optical systems, and evaluate our approach by fabricating and characterizing an F/1.4, 22.5mm diameter aperture visible band air-spaced doublet.

The metasurface which combines the different optical elements (diffraction grating, lenses, axicon) has been designed to separate the Bessel beam of N wavelengths into the corresponding beams of a single wavelength.

We fabricated metalenses with a field-of-view of 170 deg and succeeded in taking outdoor images. We also report the ghost noise and demonstrate that it can be suppressed by using a multilayer filter.

Conventional blackbody surfaces for absorption of solar energy suffer from high emissivity in the infrared. We report on the design and fabrication of plasmonic meta-surfaces tailored to absorb solar-light, while not re-emitting in the infrared.

A ray-based approach for design of systems that include both metalenses and conventional refracting or reflecting optical elements is described. This approach is applicable for imaging applications despite the sub-wavelength structure of typical metalenses.

We present validation results of a ray-based metalens design tool. The following design examples are explored: (1) a single metalens, (2) a system with two metalenses, and (3) a hybrid metalens-refractive system. For each design example, we show that the ray-based tool can be used to design imaging system with high efficiency. Furthermore, the validation results show that the ray-based approach offers results that are in excellent agreement with more rigorous wave-based analyses.

In this paper, we compare the performance of three-mirror αZ imaging systems following three different optimization methodologies. Our system is based on freeform surfaces and a curved sensor.

A Li-Fi receiver front-end is proposed using monolithic-freeform-Fresnel profile. The modified design replaces four orthogonally oriented optical front-end into a single unit and exhibits 81 dB average SINR with more than 25% reduction in dimension.

In this paper we investigate the dependence between target-distribution contrast and decrease in optical performance of the free-form optics due to misalignment along the optical axis. It is shown that by reducing the target-contrast, the optical performance of the resulting illuminance distribution can be increased at different target distances and for different light source positions.

Recently, the general exact equation to design a stigmatic lens has been found and extensively studied. In this manuscript, we discuss what we have learned by obtaining such an equation and its implications.

Dispersion in refractive lenses limits the utility of many state-of-the-art microscopes. We present the design, fabrication strategy, and characterization of a true all-reflective, unobscured, freeform microscope for biological imaging in the ultraviolet through infrared.

: Tolerancing is a critical step in creating successful commercial products. We explore recent advances in tolerancing illumination optics with particular emphasis on surface perturbations and extended sources.

Analog color film scanning must be automated to rescue films from decay in archives, but state-of-the-art RGB scanning requires skilled color grading technicians, who are scarce. Previous work showed how a multi-spectral approach can mostly automate the color grading process, and how incorporating both diffuse and low-NA illumination better reproduces the viewing impression, while enabling standard scratch and dust removal. In this paper, we present the seven LED channel illumination system and the VIS-NIR imaging optical design of this system.

Optimization of road lighting towards more sustainable and efficient sources is of major importance. We therefore pursue developing a LED roadway lighting design methodology, from luminance optimization towards the design of the freeform optics, enabling to optimize the illumination power distribution on the street to minimize the required optical output power and power consumption while still fulfilling the CIE 140 – 2000 standard. First, an artificial source is designed featuring an optimized illumination pattern towards the CIE standards while minimizing the required optical output power. Following, the design and optimization of the freeform optic is tackled, enabling the beam shaping of the LED emission pattern towards the optimized illumination pattern. Successful optimization of the freeform optic was achieved, starting from sequential mode calculations using an ideal point source, followed by an iterative optimization using backward raytracing of the requested illumination pattern and extended source simulations. The optimized freeform illumination lens comprises 2 biconic Zernike surfaces, and outperforms the state-of-the-art with respect to the average luminance, and the overall and longitudinal uniformity of the luminance. As a result, we believe our design methodology offers a promising procedure for efficient road lighting design, while having the potential to contribute to more eco-friendly lighting.

Description and implementation case study of low etendue, ultra-bright, and non-coherent laser-based light source (1150 lm, 8000 cd) built on a 5W blue LD and single crystal phosphor for high-efficiency technical applications.

Phase space diagrams are important tools in illumination design to illustrate the function of optical elements in an illumination system. We introduce the phase space of illumination optics and compare it to other branches of physics. Then, we show how basic phase space transformations such as for free space propagation and ideal lensing are represented in phase space diagrams and prove their usefulness by discussing a series of examples from our experience in various fields of optics and from literature. We review the system of all possible phase space transformations4 and discuss etendue conservation.

Using full spectral source models with detailed color properties, the color separation of an optical system can be predicted, thus allowing solutions for color mixing to be tested virtually.

For the 6th time, the International Optical Design Conference (IODC) included an Illumination Design contest. This year, the contest involved designing the optics to couple flux from a cone to a disk using an artificial ‘magic’ material featuring extreme chromatic dispersion where the index of refraction varied between 2 at 486nm and 0.5 at 656nm. The objective of the challenge was to maximize the coupled flux. The winning solution was provided by John Hygelund.

Three Extremely Laser Telescope ELT) projects are currently in construction phases. These telescopes all rely on Adaptive Optics to meet their high-spatial resolution imaging requirements. Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics (LGSAO) systems require an optical relay to produce images of both the telescope focal surface, and of laser guide stars. Laser guide stars produced in the mesosphere layer of the atmosphere lie at object conjugate distances of between 80 km and 200 km, and these are imaged by the telescope to lie at a range of axial distances from the telescope focal surface. Further, such relays are required to produce sharp metapupils and exit pupil. “Absolute Instruments” provide an image of the entire 3-dimensional object-space of the system that is free of distortion, curvature and point-blurring aberrations. Such systems are well-matched to the requirements of LGSAO systems. In this paper it will be shown that such systems can provide excellent image quality for the science field as well as for any practical range of LGS objects. Further, by splitting the correcting plate that transforms an ordinary relay into an absolute instrument, simultaneous near-perfect correction of metapupils and exit pupil can be achieved with no compromise to the relays’ imaging properties.

The proposed Survey and Time-domain Astrophysical Research eXplorer mission contains multiple subassemblies including the X-Ray Telescope. This paper discusses the optical design of that telescope, detailing the requirements, telescope architecture and performance analysis.

Adaptive Optics combined with Near InfraRed imagers and spectrographs will enable the scientific discoveries of tomorrow. NFIRAOS, the AO system for TMT, feeds IRIS (imager, slicer/lenslet spectrograph). GIRMOS is a spectrograph/imager being designed for Gemini North.

Wide field-of-view imaging optics offers a huge potential for space-based Earth observation and climate change monitoring by capturing global data. We present the design and proof-of-concept demonstration of a freeform 2-mirror space-based telescope featuring a full field-of-view of 120°, nearly reaching Earth observation from limb to limb from a nominal altitude of 700 km, while showing a spatial resolution of 2.6 km, and fitting within 1 CubeSat unit. Our design benefits from freeform optics to maximize the field-of-view, while maintaining a diffraction-limited image quality and minimizing the system dimensions. Particularly, both mirror surfaces were accurately modelled and optimized using an XY polynomial description. Subsequently, the mirrors are manufactured using high-precision 5-axis milling and ultraprecision diamond tooling, after which a laboratory demonstrator setup of the telescope was realized. We believe this design paves the way towards future space missions enabling an improved Earth observation, leading to an enhanced monitoring of climate and climate change.

The optical design of a 400 mm-aperture, f/3, three-mirror freeform telescope for the MESSIER surveyor mission is presented. PhoSim PSF (Point Spread Function) simulations of the linear astigmatism-free optical design and mirror surfaces’ microroughness modeling indicate good manufacturability.

Cryogenic instruments typically operate at temperatures of 80K. Careful analysis is required to ensure systems can be built and still meet performance requirements after cooling. The GIRMOS Imager is used as an example.

Starting points have a tremendous impact on the subsequent design process. Besides the lens specifications, further required practical constraints can play a major role. Here, we apply the 'First Time Right' method to generate constraint initial systems and use PanDao’s fabrication chain modeling to quantify fabrication aspects from the beginning.

This paper delves into the substantial challenges faced in end-to-end computer vision applications where optical systems are jointly optimized alongside downstream data-driven models, and explores available solutions.

We present a wide-angle design simulation to predict how its aberrations impact neural networks performances. Our PSF models are optimized for computational efficiency while maintaining accurate predictions which is powerful to support optical design.

Algorithmic differentiable non-sequential ray tracing gives the gradient of an illumination distribution with respect to system parameters. With it, we design freeform optics using a network with trivial input to accelerate the optimization procedure.

Previously-developed lens design libraries lack collaboration tools - an important benefit of design libraries. A new design library, www.lens-designs.com, emphases collaboration. This paper describes the new site and its role in collaboration.

We present the optical design and manufacturing tolerancing of a custom plan-apochromat objective for oblique-plane microscopy, featuring high numerical aperture and zero working distance and allowing imaging up to 45-degree inclination.

Genetic algorithms enable optical system design with off-the-shelf optics. We propose a genetic algorithm that uses five-mutation operators for a scan lens design from scratch. This work demonstrates designs of multiple specifications and an as-built demonstrator.

Systematic design of a well corrected broadband refractive lens system is described. We approach the design solution beginning from an appropriate starting point that is the Lister-Petzval form with two positive groups separated by an airspace. By identifying the limiting aberrations at each phase, additional lens elements such as an image side field flattener and a quasi-concentric meniscus lens are added. We also methodically consider the performance improvement with the conversion of the quasi-concentric meniscus into a bi-aspherical element. The impact of the biaspherical element on aberration correction potential of this lens form, along with glass considerations for effective color correction are detailed.

In this report, through the use of suitable power distribution, material selection, diffractive surfaces, and retro-reflective pattern monitoring, a compact MWIR continuous zoom lens was successfully designed for surveillance UAS payload applications. This is highly applicable in opto-electronic system design where small size plays a critical role.

To address the 2017 Earth Science Decadal Survey an instrument utilizing two high-throughput F/1.8 Dyson imaging spectrometers is designed to provide 10 nm spectral sampling over the 380-2500 nm range with 180-kilometer swath at 30-meter resolution while delivering high uniformity over the field of view and spectral range.

We designed a very fast f/0.75 lens using a surrogate image quality criterion adapted to commercial optical design software. We compared its weight and imaging performance with that of a conventionally designed f/0.75 lens.

Applying a generic genetic optimization algorithm to optical design tasks allows for a wider range of applications and optimization targets than integrated optical design optimizers.

Three unique optical designs are considered as starting solutions for optimization using two different optical design software packages. Results are presented for both Synopsys CODE V Glass Expert and Ansys Zemax.

When designing a zoom lens, a good starting design is crucial. Several unique thin lens starting designs can be efficiently generated with particle swarm optimization and k-means clustering.

The Abbe Sine Condition is a simple and perhaps too-often overlooked principle with important real-world implications, even in the realm of modern optics and fast computers.

Microscope objectives with correction function (Corr objective) are reviewed, from its invention in 1830s to the application-oriented development since the second half of 20th century. The aberration theory of correction is also briefly discussed.

Freeform systems benefit from using base surfaces that are conics. We present two approaches that leverage the unique properties of conical optics that allow for near-null testability in component metrology and system assembly.

Afocal telescopes are often used as foreoptics to existing imaging systems. Here, we discuss some unique aspects of designing afocal systems and detail various afocal design studies we performed using freeform optics.

Laser beam shaping is increasingly used in laser material processing, additive manufacture, and biomedical fields. Output profiles can tailored to the requirements of the application, and do not need to be limited to typical Gaussian or super Gaussian appearances. Beam shaping can be achieved through refractive or diffractive optical elements (ROEs / DOEs), or more complex approaches such as coherent beam combination, and multiplane light conversion [3]. ROEs can provide beam shaping solutions with high transmission and shaping efficiency in a single optical element, without the need for bulky or complex systems.

We describe a novel high-dispersion catadioptric imaging spectrometer design form. An immersed grating on a Fery prism reduces the grating size by as much as the refractive index. The convex reflective surface simplifies Petzval correction.

Freeform optics presents unique challenges to designers and manufacturers. Understanding a vendor’s manufacturing and metrology capabilities is critical to designing and tolerancing a freeform surface that uses its physical features to aid in integration.

We use Offner relay designs to demonstrate powerful new tools for the design and evaluation of off-axis freeform mirrors. The new Composite capability in OpticStudio allows us to perturb any surface for better optimization, tolerancing, and analysis.

Demand for optical design talent continues unabated. This paper describes a possible strategy to turn engineers into real, working optical design engineers based on the mentorship program of Hughes Aircraft Company in the 1980’s.

Techniques for lens design with achromatic doublets are highlighted. Off-the-shelf lens design is also discussed and some examples are presented.

When designing a freeform optic for a finite etendue source, one should consider the feasibility of the desired irradiance distribution given the source and optic constraints. We explore the underlying theory of this relationship.

A remarkable set of designs is found when considering imaging between the vertices of two equi-curvature mirrors. An infinite number of solutions exist for different numbers of reflections in a multi-pass configuration. A surprising closed-form expression is obtained that provides the necessary mirror spacings for any number of reflections. Then, the aberration makeup of these systems is analyzed. It is found that all primary aberrations except for distortion can be fully corrected.

We consider the requirements for first-order pupil location control using the matrix method for both finite-conjugate systems and afocal systems at infinite imaging conjugates. We show that two-element systems allow for only limited pupil location control, while with three elements or more the first-order pupil locations can be freely and independently controlled.

Ultrafast applications require not only that the photons arrive at the same place, but also at the same time. We describe an optimization merit function to achieve this.

We present calculations of sigma vectors in Nodal Aberration Theory (NAT) for two-mirror telescope systems and their validations through simulations with analytical calculations and experimentally with a customized high-precision Cassegrain telescope.

We present results of a method to calculate the numerical aperture and diffraction-limited Airy radius (AR) in a non-sequential (NSQ) ray-trace simulation which results in <0.05% difference in AR when compared with sequential (SEQ) methodology.

We compare different methods to extend the depth of focus of a fast infrared imaging system. Instead of using a phase mask for wavefront coding, we place this element directly on an optical surface.

A simulation tool has been developed for the evaluation of Deformable Phase Plate (DPP) in optical systems. The tool, in the form of a dynamic-link library (DLL), predicts the behavior of a DPP by incorporating its empirically measured characteristics.

Phase-retrieval algorithms are usually limited to the Fourier plane of an optical system. We present a modified iterative Fourier transform algorithm for spatial laser beam shaping in arbitrary optical systems, including systems with optical amplifiers.

The geometry of a waveguide NED sets a fundamental limit on the in-coupling efficiency. We designed a metagrating with 28% minimum field efficiency surpassing the SRG's 20% efficiency and nearly matches the limit of 29%.

Diffractive neural networks enable robust three-dimensional beam shaping by treating systems of cascading diffractive optical elements as artificial neural networks, enabling the usage of neural network training methods for the design. Here, we demonstrate how this can be used to create intensity distributions with a large depth-of-field in an experimental realization through spatial light modulators.

By adopting ISO 10110, the benefits of moving towards ISO standards for other affiliated specifications of coatings, environment, system performance and metrology becomes advantageous. A guide to this broader web of ISO standards is needed.

Increasing requirements for high-performance optics pose considerable challenges with respect to precision optics manufacturing, deposition technology and metrology as well as cost effectiveness. Examples on how to navigate these constraints are presented.

Achieving realistic tolerance analysis requires a good understanding of lenses optomechanical movements, which is long and tedious task often neglected by designers. This paper presents tolerance analysis results comparison for simplified and realistic optomechanical models.

During the optical design process it is prudent to consider optical glass equivalents for your final solution to reduce supply chain burden. A high-performance microscope objective is used to demonstrate the glass equivalency optimization process.

The ISO-10110 metrics summarize in a few figures the gist of the form error of an optical surface. The values of a few ISO-10110 metrics are usually sufficient to tell if the optical elements are of adequate quality to allow the construction of an optical system with the desired performance. In the context of tolerance analysis, surface form deviations (SFD) are simulated by adding a random sum of generic surfaces on top of a nominal surface. A Matlab-based tool was created to convert the 2D continuous mathematical models of SFD into ISO-10110 metrics. The tool works directly on the raw data of the Monte-Carlo files produced by OpticsStudio during the tolerance analysis process. Not only ISO-10110 metrics are calculated by the tool, but also many mechanical metrics and other optical metrics. The entire set of metrics is calculated for all the surfaces, elements or groups and this for each of the Monte-Carlo optical configurations. Both rotationally symmetric and cylindrical surfaces can be processed by the tool. The calculation of the irregularities is done by a decomposition of the SFD functions into Zernike polynomials and bivariate Legendre polynomials respectively for rotationally symmetric and cylindrical surfaces. A bar graph is used to display all the results of a given type on a single graph. A distance correlation is implemented in the tool to help identify the worst sources of performance degradation. Therefore, the tool can also be used for the iterative tightening of the most significant tolerance operands during the entire tolerance analysis.

A brief summary of multi-material gradient-index optics (GRIN) is presented. Both a study on achromatization and the use of multi-material GRIN optics in spectrometers will be discussed.

We describe a thin and cost effective electrically tunable liquid crystal device that can provide huge optical path differences and can dynamically generate various key wavefronts, such as uniformly delayed, spherical, cylindrical, axicon, and prism.

We demonstrate reconstruction of multi-element homogeneous lens systems as single GRIN lenses by smoothing their paraxial ray paths, followed by calculation of the required index distribution, to serve as optimization starting points.

Gradient-index Alvarez lenses, a new type of variable power component, are applied to the design of a zoom visual scope. The axially fixed Alvarez lenses allow for a reduction in system Gradient-index Alvarez lenses (GALs), a recently introduced variable power component, are highlighted in this work. A zoom visual scope is designed using GALs rather than with the conventional approach of longitudinally translating, fixed power elements. The resultant design achieves a significant reduction in system length compared with a conventional zoom scope. A secondary design is also demonstrated using only commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) homogeneous elements.

We developed a ray tracing simulation model in a lens design software to visualize the 3D image formation of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) 3D light field display (LFD). The subpixels arrangement of the OLED display has been taken into account to render realistic 3D image formation during the simulation process.

Assessing and developing measurable requirements for a lens inspired by the performance of the human eye is a challenge since the performance metrics of the human visual system can both be optical or due to image processing. In this paper, both a psychometric and a surface based eye model were used together to emulate the entrance pupil, MTF based resolution and relative illumination from the human visual system. The goal was to aid in the performance assessment of an all glass, all spherical lens inspired by the human eye.

We present one mathematical framework for sixteen basic freeform optical systems. Our goal is to find the shape and location of the freeform surfaces that convert a given source distribution into a desired target distribution.

The concept of structural aberration coefficients is applied to XY polynomial freeform surfaces to simplify aberration analysis and guide design strategies for unobscured systems. A review of structural aberration coefficients is provided as background.

Unsupervised deep learning has only been used in rotationally symmetric optical design. This work presents a differentiable three-dimensional ray tracing module and related loss functions, enabling unsupervised learning of non-rationally symmetric freeform optical systems.

It is difficult to accurately calculate the peak irradiance of ghost images that have extremely fine features. We describe a method for determining the peak irradiance of such ghosts using physical optics propagation methods.

New secondary axial color aberration theory has enabled powerful tools in the analysis of optical systems. Using these tools, design principles of a microscope objective operating over visible wavelengths are explored.

This work shows that aspherical surfaces obtained by the general equation of stigmatic sequential optical systems are very sensitive to wavelength. The application these surfaces to broadband lens-based systems is limited by the system aperture.

Lens mounting details are important in passive athermalization. We present a 10-element lens that is athermalized with one mounting structure (seats), and yet performs poorly over temperature if assembled using a different mounting structure (spacers).

The Arcstone instrument uses a single optical pathway to obtain Lunar spectral reflectance from a ratio of Solar and Lunar spectral signals. An analysis of design features that minimize spectral linewidth is presented.

This paper discusses a conceptual optical design for the proposed ASCENDS space-based Lidar receiver. A 1.5 meter primary mirror imaged on to a 200 micron detector. Some unique features and optical challenges will be discussed.

: RMS wavefront error does not fully represent the irregularity effect in a system. Specifying a tolerance with specific Zernike coefficients can enable better performance after manufacture than just a general RMS wavefront requirement.

The design of a high-resolution multispectral spectrometer to measure atmospheric pollutants is presented. The spectrometer concept resolves a compact design with strict scientific requirements in a wide spectral range to be onboard in a CubeSat.

We apply Lie algebraic methods to derive aberration coefficients of plane-symmetric mirror systems. Surfaces are treated as freeform up to symmetry with respect to the yz-plane.

The growing need for accurate optical simulations is central to bridging real and virtual worlds. However, current simulations are either slow or accuracy-limited. Here, we utilize our cloud-GPU-based architecture to show beyond 100-fold run-time acceleration.

The optical design of a hybrid heliostat-parabolic mirror for collecting sunlight at a solarpowered laser head is proposed. The simulated results expressed that the concentrated power at the focal spot of the parabolic mirror is 1,078W.

Optical systems with prisms, decentered elements or complex, assembled groups require accurate optical models to perform the tolerancing. Built-in, standard tolerancing methods often limit the analysis possibilities. We introduce a universal method to overcome these limitations and we achieve realistic and reliable results.

We introduce a new open-source package to design and model micro optical elements with arbitrary, user-defined, optical functions. Implementation is illustrated in mask design and optical element modelling of microlens arrays, diffractive lenses and holograms fabricated via grayscale lithography.

We present the opto-mechanical design and the as-built performances of the NIORD instrument, a low light imager dedicated to marine surveillance

Using quantum annealers within tools for the automated optics design promises to yield advantages regarding computational costs and design quality. These advantages can be enhanced by using problem specific anneal schedules and initial states.

Most optical shops are now equipped with 5-axes grinding and polishing machines for manufacturing freeform optics. It can be advantageous to define off-axis parabolic (OAP) and ellipsoidal (OAE) mirrors as freeforms to ease their design, specification and fabrication as stand-alone wedge-less mirrors. This paper describes an algorithm generating the surface sag and sphere departure point clouds from the conjugation distances and fold angle of the mirror.

The lens design problem for the 2023 IODC is to design a lens which is diffraction-limited over the field of view at 550 nm but at the same image plane location has large on-axis RMS wavefront error at 540 nm. The entrance pupil diameter and the semi-field of view are not specified, but are free to be selected by the designer so as to maximize the product of them and the 540 nm on-axis RMS wavefront error. Only two different glasses are allowed to be used (Schott N-BK7 and Schott N SF6). 24 entries were received from seven different countries. The winner is Arnaud Davenel of Safran Electronics & Defense in France.