Design, fabrication, and metrology of polymer gradient-index lenses for high-performance eyepieces

James A. Corsetti; Anthony J. Visconti; Kejia Fang; Peter McCarthy; Greg R. Schmidt; Duncan T. Moore

doi:10.1117/12.2041791

28 September 2013 Design, fabrication, and metrology of polymer gradient-index lenses for high-performance eyepieces

James A. Corsetti, Anthony J. Visconti, Kejia Fang, Peter McCarthy, Greg R. Schmidt, Duncan T. Moore

Proceedings Volume 8841, Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical Engineering XIV; 88411G (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2041791
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

High-performance eyepiece designs have been carried out using both spherical and radial gradient-index (GRIN) elements. Eyepiece designs of both geometries are shown to offer superior imaging performance with fewer elements when compared to purely homogeneous systems. These GRIN lenses are formed from monomer diffusion between polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polystyrene (PSTY) during the polymerization process, resulting in a copolymer of the two homogeneous materials. A process for fabricating spherical GRIN elements is discussed where copolymer axial GRIN blanks are thermally compressed using spherical surface molds. This process curves the nominally-straight isoindicial surfaces of the axial GRIN rod to be consistent with the shape found during optimization of the design. Once compressed, the spherical blanks are diamond-turned for final surface figure and finish. Measurement of the GRIN profile is carried out using the Schmidt immersion technique in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Tolerances specific to GRIN elements are identified and determined to be readily achievable using the aforementioned manufacturing process.

Citation Download Citation

James A. Corsetti, Anthony J. Visconti, Kejia Fang, Peter McCarthy, Greg R. Schmidt, and Duncan T. Moore "Design, fabrication, and metrology of polymer gradient-index lenses for high-performance eyepieces", Proc. SPIE 8841, Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical Engineering XIV, 88411G (28 September 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2041791

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available