Time-varying boundary condition diffusion for gradient-index design

Curtis J. Harkrider; Duncan T. Moore

doi:10.1117/12.321979

21 September 1998 Time-varying boundary condition diffusion for gradient-index design

Proceedings Volume 3482, International Optical Design Conference 1998; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.321979
Event: International Optical Design Conference, 1998, Kona, HI, United States

Abstract

Researchers and lens designers have established the optical performance benefits of gradient-index (GRIN) optics. Refractive index gradient attributes such as depth, shape, and total index change determine the lens aberrations and in some cases the first-order system properties. Gradient-index designs are usually specified by an index polynomial: however, the most widely used index representations do not correlate with the ion exchange fabrication process used to make GRIN glass. A design-for-manufacture process has been developed which uses ion exchange modeling integrated with optical design software to design manufacturable GRIN lenses. This paper introduces time varying boundary condition (TVBC) diffusion as a useful technique for improving the performance of manufacturable gradient lenses. The implementation of TVBC diffusion in OSLO^TM lens design software as a user-defined gradient is detailed and some unique aspects of manufacturable index profiles are pointed out in conjunction with design examples. Both axial and radial gradient designs show significant improvement with an increase in the number of TVBC diffusion steps. Finally, an experimental index profile is shown to reasonably match the TVBC diffusion calculated profile.

Citation Download Citation

Curtis J. Harkrider and Duncan T. Moore "Time-varying boundary condition diffusion for gradient-index design", Proc. SPIE 3482, International Optical Design Conference 1998, (21 September 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.321979

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