Mingxu Piao

Diffraction efficiency change of multilayer diffractive optics with environmental temperature

In this paper, the effect of an environmental temperature change on multilayer diffractive optical elements (MLDOEs) is studied in terms of the diffraction efficiency and the polychromatic integral diffraction efficiency (PIDE). The relation between the diffraction efficiency of MLDOEs and environmental temperature is analyzed theoretically, and examples of different MLDOEs are discussed in the visible and infrared wavebands. The result shows that the diffraction efficiency reduction is no more than 5% and the PIDE reduction is less than 1.5% for optical plastic MLDOEs in the visible waveband when the environmental temperature ranges from −62 to 71 °C, and that the decrease of both the diffraction efficiency and PIDE for MLDOEs is more significant in the mid-wave infrared than in the long-wave infrared. The analysis result can be considered during optical engineering design with MLDOEs.

High diffraction efficiency of three-layer diffractive optics designed for wide temperature range and large incident angle.

A mathematical model of diffraction efficiency and polychromatic integral diffraction efficiency affected by environment temperature change and incident angle for three-layer diffractive optics with different dispersion materials is put forward, and its effects are analyzed. Taking optical materials N-FK5 and N-SF1 as the substrates of multilayer diffractive optics, the effect on diffraction efficiency and polychromatic integral diffraction efficiency with intermediate materials POLYCARB is analyzed with environment temperature change as well as incident angle. Therefore, three-layer diffractive optics can be applied in more wide environmental temperature ranges and larger incident angles for refractive-diffractive hybrid optical systems, which can obtain better image quality. Analysis results can be used to guide the hybrid imaging optical system design for optical engineers.

Achromatic negative index lens with diffractive optics

In this paper, achromatization of a negative index lens is achieved by introducing the diffractive optical elements (DOEs) into the negative index lens. The diffraction efficiency of the negative index material (NIM) DOEs is deduced based on the special propagating laws and imaging properties of negative index lenses, and the expression for microstructure height is given. As an example, an achromatic refractive–diffractive negative index lens with 150 mm focal length and 15 mm entrance pupil diameter is discussed from wavelength 0.848 μm through wavelength 0.912 μm to wavelength 1.114 μm. According to the deduced expression for the NIM DOEs, the diffraction efficiency is calculated, and the diffraction efficiency curve is fitted by interpolation.

Tolerance analysis of multilayer diffractive optics based on polychromatic integral diffraction efficiency.

Multilayer diffractive optical elements (MLDOEs) can achieve high diffraction efficiency for broadband wavelength. Polychromatic integral diffraction efficiency (PIDE) is the key concern for evaluating diffraction efficiency over the waveband. The modulation transfer function of a hybrid refractive-diffractive optical system is directly affected by the PIDE. The relationship between PIDE and continuous manufacturing errors for microstructure heights and periodic widths of MLDOEs is studied theoretically in this paper, and an example of MLDOEs is discussed in the visible waveband. The analysis results can be used for manufacturing error control in microstructure heights and periodic widths.

Optimal design method on diffractive optical elements with antireflection coatings

The effect of antireflection coatings on diffraction efficiency of diffractive optical elements (DOEs) was studied and the mathematical model of diffraction efficiency affected by antireflection coatings for DOEs is presented. We found antireflection coatings can cause a significant reduction on diffraction efficiency at the designed, or the central wavelength. In order to solve this problem, we proposed a method to keep 100% diffraction efficiency at the designed wavelength by ensuring the 2π phase induced by DOEs and the antireflection coatings. Diffraction efficiency affected by antireflection coatings for DOEs with consideration of antireflection coatings are simulated. Analysis results can be utilized for refractive-diffractive hybrid imaging optical system optimal design and image quality evaluation.

Design of a dual-band MWIR/LWIR circular unobscured three-mirror optical system with Zernike polynomial surfaces

This paper discusses the optical design of an uncooled dual-band MWIR/LWIR optical system using a circular unobscured three-mirror system which is particularly suitable for wide spectral range , large aperture and small volume imaging systems. The system is designed at focal length 310mm, F-number 1.55 with field of view 1.77°×1.33°. A coaxial three-mirror system is calculated by the paraxial matrix as a starting point. With the condition that the focal point of each conic mirror is placed to coincide successively, elements in the system are tilted and decentered properly to make the system unobscured and the mirrors are arranged to form a round configuration for compactness. The optical path is folded inside the region surrounded by the mirrors. Zernike polynomial surfaces which are limited to be symmetric about tangential plane are used to correct aberrations and to improve the image quality. The modulation transfer function of this system is above 0.65 in MWIR band and above 0.5 in LWIR band all over the field of view at the Nyquist frequency of 20 line pairs per millimeter. The result shows that the space can be utilized efficiently, the system is compact and image quality is favorable.

Design of an off-axis visual display based on a free-form projection screen to realize stereo vision

Abstract A free-form projection screen is designed for an off-axis visual display, which shows great potential in applications such as flight training for providing both accommodation and convergence cues for pilots. The method based on point cloud is proposed for the design of the free-form surface, and the design of the point cloud is controlled by a program written in the macro-language. In the visual display based on the free-form projection screen, when the error of the screen along Z-axis is 1 mm, the error of visual distance at each filed is less than 1%. And the resolution of the design for full field is better than 1′, which meet the requirement of resolution for human eyes.

Substrate material selection method for multilayer diffractive optics in a wide environmental temperature range

We present a substrate material selection method for multilayer diffractive optical elements (MLDOEs) to obtain high polychromatic integral diffraction efficiency (PIDE) in a wide environmental temperature range. The extended expressions of the surface relief heights for the MLDOEs are deduced with consideration of the influence of the environmental temperature. The PIDE difference Δη¯(λ) and PIDE change factor F are introduced to select a reasonable substrate material combination. A smaller value of Δη¯(λ) or F indicates a smaller decrease of the PIDE in a wide temperature range, and the corresponding substrate material combination is better. According to the deduced relation, double-layer and three-layer DOEs with different combinations are discussed. The results show that IRG26 and zinc sulfide is the best substrate material combination in the infrared waveband for double-layer DOEs, and polycarbonate is more reasonable than polymethyl methacrylate as the middle filling optical material for three-layer DOEs when the two substrate materials are the same.

Effect of environmental temperature on diffraction efficiency for multilayer diffractive optical elements in Mid-wave infrared

In this paper, the effect of environmental temperature change on multilayer diffractive optical elements (MLDOEs) is evaluated from the viewpoint of the diffraction efficiency and the polychromatic integral diffraction efficiency (PIDE). As environmental temperature changes, the microstructure heights of MLDOEs expand or contract, and refractive indices of substrate materials also change. Based on the changes in microstructure height and substrate material index with environmental temperature, the theoretical relation between diffraction efficiency of MLDOEs and environmental temperature is deduced. A practical 3-5μm Mid-wave infrared (MWIR) optical system designed with a MLDOE, which made of ZNSE and GE, is discussed to illustrate the influence of environmental temperature change. The result shows that diffraction efficiency reduction is no more than 85% and PIDE reduction is less than 50% when environmental temperature ranges from -20°C to 60°C. According to the calculated diffraction efficiency in different environmental temperatures, the MTF of hybrid optical system is modified and the modified MTF curve is compared with the original MTF curve. Although the hybrid optical system achieved passive athermalization in above environmental temperature range, the modified MTF curve also remarkably decline in environmental temperature extremes after the consideration of diffraction efficiency change of MLDOE. It is indicated that the image quality of hybrid optical system with ZNSE-GE MLDOE is significantly sensitive to environmental temperature change. The analysis result can be used for optical engineering design with MLDOEs in MWIR.