Software: Calculation Algorithms for Free-Form-Micro-Optical-Elements (FF-MOE)
Technique: Self-developed calculation algorithms
Contact person (Joanneum Research): Barbara Stadlober (barbara.stadlober@joanneum.at)
Responsible: Claude Leiner (claude.leiner@joanneum.at)
Description: Free-form-optics offer the ability for creating tailor made radiant intensity or irradiance distributions, which cannot be achieved using conventional optical lenses. Our self-developed calculation algorithms allow the calulation of very flat (10-200 µm) free-form micro-optical elements (FF-MOEs) with comparable optical functionalities as conventional voluminous FF lenses.
Specifications:
- Self-developed algorithms offer the highest degree of flexibility to develop tailor made optical components for arbitrary optical problems.
- FF-MOEs have the functionality of conventional voluminous FF optics and conventional optics, but whose maximum height is freely scalable in the range 5 – 200 µm.
- The very low height of the structures enables the use of alternative manufacturing methods such as e.g. the grayscale laser lithography for the fabrication of master structures or the roll-to-roll process for mass production.
- Through an iterative interaction between the computational algorithm and ray-tracing simulations, the calculated FF-MOEs can be optimized within the whole optical system.
- The light management capabilities of FF-MOEs have already been tested for various topics and applications e.g. direct lit applications, sensor applications, logo projection, wall-wash applications, generation of tailor made radiant intensity distributions, etc.
Link for additional information:
- https://www.joanneum.at/materials/publikationen/detail/optical-design-of-freeform-micro-optical-elements-and-their-fabrication-combining-maskless-laser-direct-write-lithography-and-replication-by-imprinting
- https://www.led-professional.com/resources-1/articles/smart-design-of-freeform-micro-optical-elements-for-thin-direct-lit-luminaires
- https://opg.optica.org/osac/fulltext.cfm?uri=osac-3-11-3237&id=442525
