Starting geometry creation and design method for freeform optics

Aaron Bauer (), Eric M. Schiesser and Jannick P. Rolland
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Aaron Bauer: University of Rochester
Eric M. Schiesser: University of Rochester
Jannick P. Rolland: University of Rochester

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract We describe a method for designing freeform optics based on the aberration theory of freeform surfaces that guides the development of a taxonomy of starting-point geometries with an emphasis on manufacturability. An unconventional approach to the optimization of these starting designs wherein the rotationally invariant 3rd-order aberrations are left uncorrected prior to unobscuring the system is shown to be effective. The optimal starting-point geometry is created for an F/3, 200 mm aperture-class three-mirror imager and is fully optimized using a novel step-by-step method over a 4 × 4 degree field-of-view to exemplify the design method. We then optimize an alternative starting-point geometry that is common in the literature but was quantified here as a sub-optimal candidate for optimization with freeform surfaces. A comparison of the optimized geometries shows the performance of the optimal geometry is at least 16× better, which underscores the importance of the geometry when designing freeform optics.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04186-9

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