Exploring the unique chromatic properties of multi-material gradient-index optics

Ankur X. Desai; Greg R. Schmidt; Duncan T. Moore

doi:10.1117/12.3014716

17 June 2024 Exploring the unique chromatic properties of multi-material gradient-index optics

Ankur X. Desai, Greg R. Schmidt, Duncan T. Moore

Proceedings Volume 13019, Optical Design and Engineering IX; 130191I (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3014716
Event: SPIE Optical Systems Design, 2024, Strasbourg, France

Abstract

Traditionally, gradient-index (GRIN) optics have been made by varying the ratio of two distinct materials or exchanging two components within a base material. This has largely been dictated by manufacturing methods. However, due to recent advancements in additive manufacturing, GRIN optics can now be composed of a blend of multiple materials (i.e., more than two). It can be shown that these new, multi-material GRIN optics possess numerous advantages over traditional GRIN optics, especially in the realm of color correction. Such advantages arise due to multi-material GRIN’s ability to separately vary the GRIN power and the GRIN dispersion, a feat not possible with only two materials. Additionally, when the GRIN power is allowed to vary along the optical axis, the GRIN dispersion can also vary along the optical axis. This means that a single multi-material GRIN element can have regions of both positive and negative dispersion and regions that are extremely dispersive or nearly dispersionless. The ability to spatially tune the dispersion within a single optic is a powerful design tool which will be highlighted in this paper.

Conference Presentation

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Ankur X. Desai, Greg R. Schmidt, and Duncan T. Moore "Exploring the unique chromatic properties of multi-material gradient-index optics", Proc. SPIE 13019, Optical Design and Engineering IX, 130191I (17 June 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3014716

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