Hybrid GRIN Diffractive Optics for Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical imaging systems using refractive elements suffer from geometric and chromatic aberrations, requiring numerous components that increase size, weight, cost, and complexity, while diffractive elements are limited in correcting chromatic aberrations.
Innovation Solution
Hybrid optical imaging systems incorporating gradient index (GRIN) optical elements with integrated or adjacent diffractive components, featuring surface relief structures like diffraction gratings or kinoform structures, to provide both refractive and diffractive power for aberration correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If numerous discrete optical components are cascaded in series to correct aberrations, then image quality is improved, but device complexity, size, weight, and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (refraction, diffraction, aberration correction) into a single hybrid optical element. The diffractive optical element is integrated with the refractive lens, allowing simultaneous correction of chromatic and geometric aberrations without requiring separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a hybrid optical element that combines refractive and diffractive properties in a single component. This composite structure integrates the dispersive properties of refractive materials with the wavelength-selective properties of diffractive structures, enabling multiple aberration correction mechanisms within one element.
2Device complexity
If diffractive optical elements are used to reduce the number of components, then device complexity is reduced, but chromatic aberration correction capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the chromatic aberration correction capability of refractive materials with the geometric aberration correction capability of diffractive structures. The hybrid element uses the dispersive properties of the refractive substrate to correct chromatic aberrations while the diffractive surface relief structure corrects geometric aberrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid optical element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides refractive power for focusing, diffractive power for chromatic correction, and surface relief structures for geometric aberration correction. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each correction type.
3Ease of manufacture
If homogeneous material lenses are used, then manufacturing is simple, but geometric and chromatic aberrations are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spatial variation in the optical properties of the lens by incorporating a diffractive surface relief structure with varying pattern densities and depths across the lens surface. This local variation in diffractive structure properties enables correction of geometric aberrations such as spherical aberration and coma while maintaining a relatively simple bulk lens geometry.
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 hybrid approach reduces the number of components needed, minimizing size, weight, and manufacturing complexity while effectively correcting spatial and chromatic aberrations, maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
Hybrid optical imaging systems incorporating gradient index (GRIN) optical elements with integrated or adjacent diffractive components
Implementation Method 2
at least one diffractive optical element of a plurality of diffractive optical elements integrated within at least one of the plurality of gradient refractive index optical elements
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an optical imaging system is disclosed incorporating at least two gradient refractive index optical elements of a plurality of gradient refractive index optical elements made from at least one bulk material having a gradient refractive index and at least one diffractive optical element of a plurality of diffractive optical elements integrated within at least one of the plurality of gradient refractive index optical elements. Various embodiments disclosed incorporate at least one diffractive optical element configured as a surface relief structure patterned on at least one surface of the at least one gradient refractive index optical element. The surface relief structure includes at least one of a diffraction grating structure, a diffractive lens structure, and a kinoform structure. The at least one bulk material includes at least one of a radial gradient refractive index, an axial gradient refractive index, and a spherical gradient refractive index.