A new paradigm in optical design: infinitely linear refraction artificial materials

本提案的目的是研究和实现基于设计决定的人造材料的光学设计的新范式。该方法是生成无限折射线性人工材料（IRAM），在大视场范围内保持入射角和折射角之间的线性关系。因此，它们在提高性能、简化设计和减少高度非傍轴和三维光学中的外形因素方面具有吸引力。在集成光子学领域，IRAM在创造新功能方面也很有吸引力。经典的光学成像系统由一系列均质各向同性材料之间的折射表面组成。传统的光学设计旨在通过满足一系列性能要求的多种表面和材料系统来纠正像差。现代透镜设计也可以利用非球面、渐变折射率、衍射或全息透镜来减少像差和整体复杂性和尺寸。然而，设计仍然基于数百个维度的光线追踪优化，这通常会导致在性能、尺寸、重量和外形因素方面的权衡。这里提出的范例在材料层面提供了新的自由度，使设计更简单，并极大地简化了设计过程。更广泛的影响- IRAM开辟了探索具有巨大经济潜力的集成和自由空间光子学新应用的可能性。例如，该方法在轻型/紧凑型红外成像仪中的应用具有吸引力，其性能优于经典的多元件设计。该项目将教育与外联结合起来，例如为不同类型的青年学生干部提供培训机会。

The objective of this proposal is to investigate and implement a new paradigm for optical design based on artificial materials determined by design. The approach is to generate infinitely refraction-linear artificial materials (IRAM) that maintain a linear relationship between incident and refracted angles over a large field of view. As a result, they are attractive to enhance performance, simplify design, and reduce form factor in highly non-paraxial and three-dimensional optics. IRAM are also attractive for creating new functionalities in integrated photonics.Intellectual merit - Classical optical imaging systems consist of a series of refracting surfaces interfacing among homogeneous isotropic materials. Traditional optical design aims at correcting aberrations via multiple surface and material systems that meet a set of performance requirements. Modern lens design can also take advantage of aspheric, graded index, diffractive or holographic lenses to reduce aberrations and overall complexity and size. However, designs are still based on ray tracing optimizations over hundreds of dimensions that typically result in tradeoffs in terms of performance, size, weight, and form factor. The paradigm proposed here provides new degrees of freedom at the material level that enable simpler designs and dramatically simplifies the design process.Broader Impacts - IRAM open up the possibility of exploring novel applications in integrated and free space photonics with vast economic potential. For instance, the approach is attractive for application in light/compact infrared imagers that outperform classical multi-element designs. The project integrates education and outreach, for instance by providing training opportunities for a diverse cadre of young students.