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

本建议的目的是研究和实施一个新的范例，光学设计的基础上，人工材料的设计。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，它们在高度非傍轴和三维光学中具有增强性能、简化设计和减小形状因子的吸引力。IRAM也有吸引力的创造新的功能集成photonics.Intellectual优点-经典的光学成像系统包括一系列的折射面之间的均匀各向同性材料的接口。传统的光学设计旨在通过满足一组性能要求的多个表面和材料系统来校正像差。现代透镜设计还可以利用非球面、渐变折射率、衍射或全息透镜来减少像差和总体复杂性和尺寸。然而，设计仍然基于数百个维度上的光线跟踪优化，这通常会导致性能，尺寸，重量和形状因子方面的权衡。这里提出的范例提供了新的自由度，在材料的水平，使更简单的设计，并大大简化了设计过程。更广泛的影响- IRAM开辟了探索新的应用集成和自由空间光子学具有巨大的经济潜力的可能性。例如，该方法是有吸引力的应用在轻/紧凑的红外成像器，优于经典的多元件设计。该项目将教育和外联结合起来，例如为各种青年学生提供培训机会。

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.