Optical Element with Diffractive Grating for Chromatic Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spectacle lenses with refractive surfaces suffer from color fringing issues under polychromatic conditions, even when optimized monochromatically, and existing solutions using diffractive gratings introduce refraction errors while partially correcting color fringing.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method optimizes optical elements with both refractive and diffractive components to minimize chromatic aberrations and second-order imaging errors by varying the parameters of refractive surfaces and diffractive gratings, using a polychromatic objective function to achieve a compromise across multiple evaluation points and wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a diffractive grating is applied to correct color fringes, then color fringe is reduced, but refraction error is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by simultaneously optimizing the parameters of both the refractive surfaces and the diffractive grating. The optimization process adjusts curvature, thickness, and grating parameters together to achieve a polychromatic objective function minimum, resolving the contradiction between color fringe correction and refraction error introduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite optical system combining refractive surfaces and diffractive grating structures. This composite approach allows the system to leverage both refractive and diffractive properties to correct chromatic aberrations while maintaining proper refraction, effectively resolving the technical contradiction
2Manufacturing precision
If refractive surfaces are optimized monochromatically, then imaging properties are optimized, but color fringe occurs under polychromatic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from monochromatic to polychromatic optimization by changing the objective function parameters to account for multiple wavelengths. The optimization simultaneously considers imaging properties and chromatic aberrations across the visible spectrum, resolving the contradiction between monochromatic optimization and polychromatic performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the optical element to simultaneously achieve multiple functions: correcting imaging errors, minimizing chromatic aberrations, and maintaining proper refraction across different wavelengths. This universal optimization approach resolves the contradiction between specialized monochromatic optimization and general polychromatic performance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively corrects both imaging properties and color errors in spectacle lenses, extending the color-fringe-free area to nearly the entire lens, equivalent to a higher Abbe number, and reduces the lens thickness, providing optimal correction across the viewing angle range.
Implementation Method 1
A diffractive grating, which is applied to a spectacle lens to correct color fringes
Implementation Method 2
at least one refractive surface contributing to the refractive deflection of light
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a computer-implemented method and a device for optimizing an optical element comprising at least one diffraction grating, wherein at least one refractive surface contributing to the refractive light deflection and/or the at least one diffraction grating of the optical element are/is optimized in such a way as to minimize the colour fringe and at least a second-order aberration of the optical element. The invention further relates to a corresponding production method and a corresponding device for producing an optical element comprising at least one diffraction grating.