Optical System Design with Metalens Phase Discretization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for designing optical systems with metalenses and refractive lenses are inadequate, as they fail to account for the complex phase distribution of metalenses and the errors in nanostructure processing, leading to imaging issues that do not meet design requirements, especially in systems with multiple lenses.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that optimize initial structure parameters using the ray tracing method, discretize the metalens phase, and perform optical field propagation simulations to achieve a target structure parameter that meets design requirements, incorporating nanostructure refraction laws and phase gradient optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional ray tracing method is used to design optical system with metalens, then design process is simplified, but imaging performance deteriorates due to complex phase distribution of metalens that traditional methods cannot handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the continuous phase distribution of the metalens into a discrete phase representation that can be processed by ray tracing algorithms. By parameterizing the phase distribution and using optimization algorithms to adjust these parameters, the method enables traditional ray tracing tools to handle metalens designs while maintaining accurate imaging performance prediction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optimization module that bridges the gap between traditional ray tracing methods and metalens design requirements. This module processes the complex phase distribution information and translates it into a format suitable for ray tracing analysis, allowing the existing ray tracing framework to be applied to metalens systems
2Ease of operation
If traditional optical design methods are applied to hybrid optical system, then design workflow remains unchanged, but design accuracy deteriorates because traditional methods cannot account for nanostructure processing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary optimization of the metalens phase distribution before finalizing the optical system design. By anticipating and compensating for nanostructure processing errors in advance through optimization algorithms, the method ensures that the design accounts for manufacturing tolerances, thereby improving design accuracy while maintaining workflow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the optimization module continuously adjusts the phase distribution parameters based on performance criteria. This iterative feedback process refines the design to compensate for expected nanostructure processing errors, improving accuracy without significantly increasing operational complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If continuous phase distribution is used in metalens design, then theoretical performance is optimized, but practical manufacturing becomes difficult due to discretization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous phase distribution into discrete phase levels that can be manufactured using standard nanofabrication techniques. By dividing the phase range into a finite number of steps, the method maintains the essential optical functionality while making the design compatible with practical manufacturing constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the phase distribution from a continuous parameter space to a discrete parameter space suitable for manufacturing. By changing the parameter representation and using optimization to find the best discrete approximation, the method bridges the gap between theoretical performance and manufacturability
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
This approach enables the design of optical systems with improved imaging performance by aligning the metalens phase with practical production phases, overcoming the limitations of traditional ray tracing methods and nanostructure processing errors, resulting in a target structure parameter that meets design specifications.
Implementation Method 1
optimizing the initial structure parameter according to the ray tracing method
Implementation Method 2
the metalens is an application of the metasurface, which can modulate the amplitude, phase and polarization of the incident light by the nanostructures set on it
Implementation Method 3
the optical system combined with the metalens and the traditional refractive lens
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device of designing an optical system, and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: S1. determining an initial structure parameter of the optical system according to a design requirement; S2. optimizing the initial structure parameter according to the ray tracing method, and obtaining a theoretical structure parameter; S3. performing a discretization on a phase of a metalens of the theoretical structure parameter and obtaining a discrete phase; S4. performing an optical field propagation simulation according to the discrete phase, and obtaining an imaging performance index; S5. if the image performance index meets the design requirement, obtaining a target structure parameter; if the image performance index doesn't meet the design requirement, re-optimizing the image performance index and obtaining the target structure parameter.