Subsurface Diffractive Optical Structure for Chromatic Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chromatic aberrations occur in lenses made from a single material due to the refractive index being inversely proportional to the wavelength of light, causing different wavelengths to focus at different points, which degrades image quality.
Innovation Solution
The development of lenses with subsurface diffractive optical structures that induce localized changes in refractive index, allowing for the correction of chromatic aberrations without altering the external shape of the lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a lens is made from a single material, then the manufacturing process is simple, but chromatic aberration occurs causing different wavelengths to focus at different points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a single-material lens with a subsurface diffractive optical structure, creating a composite optical system. The lens body provides bulk optical power while the subsurface diffractive structure, formed by localized refractive index changes, provides chromatic aberration correction. This composite approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving precision correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating subsurface diffractive optical structures with spatially varying refractive indices within the lens. These localized regions have different optical properties than the surrounding material, enabling chromatic aberration correction at specific locations without altering the entire lens structure or external shape.
2Manufacturing precision
If subsurface diffractive optical structures are added to correct chromatic aberration, then image quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the chromatic aberration correction function directly into the lens substrate by forming subsurface diffractive optical structures within the lens material itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate correction elements or complex multi-component assemblies, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining correction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or multi-element optical correction systems with subsurface refractive index modifications. By using localized optical property changes rather than physical structural additions, the solution simplifies the lens design while achieving the desired chromatic aberration correction.
3Power
If the external shape of the lens is altered to provide optical power, then optical correction is achieved, but the ability to correct chromatic aberration independently is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical correction function into two independent components: the external lens shape provides optical power, while the subsurface diffractive optical structures provide chromatic aberration correction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the lens to achieve both optical power and chromatic correction without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal lens design where a single lens element performs multiple functions: the external shape provides optical power correction while the subsurface diffractive structures provide chromatic aberration correction. This multi-functional approach increases adaptability, allowing the same lens to address both spherical and chromatic vision defects simultaneously.
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 solution effectively corrects chromatic aberrations, improving image quality by ensuring that all visible light wavelengths are focused at the same point, thereby enhancing the optical performance of lenses.
Implementation Method 1
The external surface shape is configured to alter a wavefront via refraction
Implementation Method 2
at least one subsurface diffractive optical structure formed by inducing localized subsurface changes of the refractive index of the lens
Implementation Method 3
Each of the sub-volumes of the at least one subsurface diffractive optical structure has a respective refractive index spatial distribution that differs from a lens material refractive index of the lens
Data Source
AI summary
Chromatic aberrations correcting optical structures provide a chromatic aberration wavefront correction for an optical component or system. A chromatic aberration correcting lens includes at least one subsurface diffractive optical structure. Each of sub-volumes of the at least one subsurface diffractive optical structure has a respective refractive index spatial distribution that differs from a lens material refractive index of the lens. The at least one subsurface diffractive optical structure is configured to induce a chromatic aberration correction for the optical component or system.