A collimated globar source with a broadband output useful to a wavelength as long as 9 micrometers is shown and some characteristics of it are listed and illustrated. An infrared transmitting polymer Fresnel lens is used to focus this source to a small spot. A significant advantage of our polymer material’s virtually identical refractive index across both the visible and infrared regimes for our polymer material is confirmed by observing the stability of back focal length across different wavebands.
Maintaining the fidelity during mass production of nanostructures over large surface areas poses several challenges. Thin polymer optic components are susceptible to warping, birefringence, and errors in nanostructure form and periodicity. These issues can vary across the entirety of the surface, much more than in smaller injection molded parts. We discuss some of these challenges, their effects on the performance of the nanostructures, and some methods for mitigation.
Several types of polymer viewing screens for imaging thermal infrared scenes have been studied, both experimentally and theoretically. The best candidates will be used to evaluate the quality of polymer thermal imaging optics in a subsequent paper.
Virtual reality and augmented reality devices require increasingly demanding optical components. Head mounted displays for VR systems often use molded Fresnel lenses, which can be affordably mass produced, maintain low weight, and still achieve high optical performance. Here, we describe an optical system designed for a wide field-of-view, consumer VR headset. Custom tooling was fabricated via diamond turning in order to injection mold the acrylic lenses. Each optical channel is composed of two lenses. The lenses have a spherical-convex surface and an aspheric-convex Fresnel on a spherical-concave surface; the radii of the spherical surfaces differ between the two lenses. Each lens pair relays the image from a compatible smartphone to the eye. To assess the quality of the lenses, the surface finish and surface profiles were measured using a white light interferometer and a contact profilometer, respectively. The lenses were assembled into a custom headset, and their performance was demonstrated via commercial VR software.
An important, but largely invisible, area of polymer optics involves sensing the motion of warm objects. It can be further subdivided into optics for security, for energy conservation, and for convenience; the area has become known as optics for the passive infrared. The passive infrared is generally known as the 8 to 14 μm region of the optical spectrum. The region’s roots are in the traditional infrared technology of many decades ago; there is a coincident atmospheric window, although that has little relevance to many short-range applications relevant to polymer optics. Regrettably, there is no polymer material ideally suited to the passive infrared, but one material is generally superior to other candidates. The inadequacy of this material makes the Fresnel lens important. Polymer optics for the passive infrared were first introduced in the 1970s. Patents from that period will be shown, as well as early examples. The unfamiliar names of the pioneering companies and their technical leaders will be mentioned. The 1980s and 90s brought a new and improved lens type, and rapid growth. Pigments for visible-light appearance and other reasons were introduced; one was a spectacular failure. Recent advances include faster lenses, a new groove structure, additional pigments, and lens-mirror combinations. New sensor types are also being introduced. Finally, some unique and inventive applications will be discussed.
Electro-Chemical Polishing is routinely used in the anodizing industry to achieve specular surface finishes
of various metals products prior to anodizing. Electro-Chemical polishing functions by leveling the
microscopic peaks and valleys of the substrate, thereby increasing specularity and reducing light scattering.
The rate of attack is dependent of the physical characteristics (height, depth, and width) of the microscopic
structures that constitute the surface finish. To prepare the sample, mechanical polishing such as buffing or
grinding is typically required before etching. This type of mechanical polishing produces random
microscopic structures at varying depths and widths, thus the electropolishing parameters are determined in
an ad hoc basis. Alternatively, single point diamond turning offers excellent repeatability and highly
specific control of substrate polishing parameters. While polishing, the diamond tool leaves behind an
associated tool mark, which is related to the diamond tool geometry and machining parameters. Machine
parameters such as tool cutting depth, speed and step over can be changed in situ, thus providing control of
the spatial frequency of the microscopic structures characteristic of the surface topography of the substrate.
By combining single point diamond turning with subsequent electro-chemical etching, ultra smooth
polishing of both rotationally symmetric and free form mirrors and molds is possible. Additionally,
machining parameters can be set to optimize post polishing for increased surface quality and reduced
processing times. In this work, we present a study of substrate surface finish based on diamond turning tool
mark spatial frequency with subsequent electro-chemical polishing.
We have investigated the light collection and collimation properties of both Fresnel lenses and the nonimaging (TIR)
“cones” typically used with LEDs. We have measured the integrated light output and its spatial distribution, and we have
also measured the sensitivity of these two parameters to misalignment between the optic and the LED. We find that for a
given distance from the LED to the front of the optic, a Fresnel lens can produce a narrower (better collimated) beam
than can a nonimaging “cone.” Various design and manufacturability factors must be weighed when determining which
solution to choose for a given illumination problem, and some of these are discussed.
A low-cost polymer infrared imaging lens well suited to military and security applications in the 8 to 14 μm region has been made. It has a focal length of 50 mm, and an f/number of 0.8. The design requires four aspheric or Fresnel surfaces. Improvements in molding have allowed significant improvements over a 25 mm focal length design previously discussed.
A low-cost polymer infrared imaging lens well suited to military and security applications in the 8 to 14 μm region has been made. It has a focal length of 25 mm, and an f/number of 0.8. The design requires four aspheric or Fresnel surfaces. Remarkable performance has been demonstrated.
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