Aaron Bauer

Freeform spectrometer enabling increased compactness

We present optical designs with freeform optics in the context of hyperspectral imaging. Results show designs that are 5 × more compact in volume than similar designs using conventional spherical or aspherical surfaces. We will show how combining the concepts of spatial and spectral-band broadening, which will be introduced in this paper, led to the improvement in compactness that is uniquely enabled by freeform optics.

Increased Compactness of an Imaging Spectrometer Enabled by Freeform Surfaces

A freeform imaging spectrometer in the Offner-Chrisp geometry is demonstrated to be 5x more compact than one with traditional surfaces. Performance and manufacturability was analyzed using spectral full-field displays and a demonstration prototype was realized.

Design Process for an All-Reflective Freeform Electronic Viewfinder

An all-reflective freeform viewfinder was designed using the recently developed aberration theory for freeform surfaces. An incremental process is shown to guide designers from a spherical design to the final solution.

Freeform Optics Enabling Optics in Three Dimensions

Freeform optical surfaces are emerging as a path to truly three dimensional optical designs. Here the status of optical design, fabrication, and testing of three dimensional optical systems with freeform surfaces will be presented.