I will discuss the design and implementation of space plates and space optics, which are space plates with position-dependent responses. I will show how new variants in gradient-based topology optimization can yield space plates with enhanced compression factors, sizes, and efficiencies compared to conventional designs. I will also show how space plates and space optics can be co-designed with refractive optical systems to yield imaging systems with new capabilities and form factors. These concepts showcase the emergent capabilities of multi-scalar optical systems that combine the synergistic properties of macroscopic and subwavelength-scale structured media.
The theory, design techniques, and fabrication of high harmonic diffractive (HHD) lenses is presented. HHD lenses are of high interest for ultralightweight and large aperture imaging systems. The interesting chromatic focal characteristics, image quality, and correction subsystems are discussed that can provide high image quality (achromatic and apochromatic) over broad optical bandwidths. A fabrication example is given of an HHD lens combined with a molded glass HHD lens combined with a single-order diffractive Fresnel lens, which is called a multiple-order diffractive engineered surface (MODE) lens. This type of lens is being developed for ultralightweight space telescopes, although they will have application in other areas.
The initial testing of prototype multiple-order-diffraction engineered (MODE) lens telescope is essential process before the sky test to evaluate the optical imaging performance of a space object. Prototype MODE lens telescope consists of MODE primary lens which is a core component to correct secondary spectrum, a field lens and a double Gauss type color corrector and achieves a diffraction limited performance. The performance is tested on the diffraction efficiency with respect to supercontinuum laser wavelength on an optical testbed and evaluated on the polychromatic performance for prototype molded ring segment.
KEYWORDS: Diffractive optical elements, Astrobiology, Telescopes, Space observatories, Planets, Space telescopes, James Webb Space Telescope, Space operations, Stars, Satellites, Optical fabrication
We describe progress on the Nautilus Space Observatory concept that is enabled by novel, very large (8.5mdiameter), ultralight-weight, multi-order diffractive lenses that can be cost-effectively replicated. The scientific goal of Nautilus is the rigorous statistical exploration of one thousand potentially life-bearing planets and the assessment of the diversity of exo-earths. Here we review the science requirements and key design features of Nautilus. The new optical technology (MODE lenses) at the heart of the Nautilus telescopes also poses exciting new optical fabrication and metrology challenges. We will summarize these challenges and provide an overview of emerging solutions.
The stray light analysis and testing of multiple-order-diffraction engineered (MODE) lens telescope is an essential step in the evaluation of optical imaging performance of the telescope. The MODE primary lens has a multi-order diffractive (MOD) front surface and single-order (M = 1) diffractive Fresnel lens (DFL) rear surface. Both of MOD and DFL surfaces have four transitions between five annular zones. Stray light can be minimized to prevent unwanted photons from reaching the science instrument detectors. Stray light is evaluated on an optical testbed to test the polychromatic performance with a supercontinuum laser.
The color corrector (CC) system serves as an essential part of the multi-order diffractive engineered (MODE) lens system to provide near diffraction limited performance by correcting residual refractive and diffractive dispersion of MODE primary over the astronomical R-band (589 nm to 727 nm). The CC is designed to collimate and refocus the image from the MODE primary as a unit magnification relay and corrects chromatic aberrations at the same time. As a result, the system including the optomechanics of the CC is specifically designed for compensating errors from both the MODE primary and the CC. Results regarding prototyping, assembly and testing of the color corrector are reported.
The longitudinal chromatic aberration (LCA) specific to a high-harmonic multi order diffractive engineered (MODE) lens designed for the astronomical R band (589nm to 727nm) is described and demonstrated. This Type 2 LCA is characterized by rapid changes of focal position versus wavelength over a focal range of f0/M, where f0 is the design focal length at 658nm and M=2196 is the harmonic order. Type 2 LCA effects on image performance and correction methods are also discussed and demonstrated.
A theory of correcting residual change in focal length with wavelength is presented for high-harmonic diffractive lenses. The theory is based on a multiple-order diffractive (MOD) lens in combination with a stepped plate called an Arizona total energy color corrector (AZTECC) lens. Results indicate that best performance in terms of on-axis focused irradiance versus wavelength is found when low-dispersion glass is used for the AZTECC lens. A single-order diffractive Fresnel lens (DFL) in combination with the AZTECC lens makes the system achromatic over a wide bandwidth.
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