PFI:AIR - TT: Achromatic lenses with an unprecedented spectral range

这个PFI: AIR技术翻译项目能够翻译一种光学透镜，在从可见光到中红外的扩展波长范围内提供光的消色差聚焦。消色差聚焦允许不同波长的光，例如红色和蓝色，在相同的焦距上聚焦，从而获得更清晰的图像。它是有用的广泛的光学应用，从显微镜摄影到高光谱成像。以前的消色差透镜的波长范围有限，而其他宽带消色差透镜使用的材料和生产技术都很昂贵。在这个项目中开发的产品提供了一种不仅价格合理而且生产友好的材料组合，从而制造出具有优越消色差性能的相对便宜的光学器件。该项目将产生一个原型透镜，可以很容易地用于光学显微镜应用，提供从可见光到中红外的成像机会。在一个以研究为导向的项目中发现，提议的消色剂是由氟化钙和蓝宝石组成的。最初的模拟已经证实，这两种材料的组合可以在更大的范围内产生消色差透镜。该项目将在组件制造和透镜高精度组装之前进一步微调材料参数。在向外地用户分发供购买的副本之前，将对原型进行广泛测试。该项目将为研究生和本科生提供广泛的培训经验，他们将参与工程、测试和商业决策过程。该项目还聘请了来自定制光学制造市场领导者Zygo的工程师和业务开发人员，以推动这项技术从研究发现到商业现实的转化工作。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project enables the translation of an optical lens that provides achromatic focusing of light over an extended wavelength range, from the visible to the mid-infrared range. Achromatic focusing allows different wavelengths of light, for example red and blue, to be brought into focus at the same focal length, enabling a clearer image. It is useful for a wide range of optics applications, from microscopy to photography to hyperspectral imaging. Previous achromatic lenses have been limited in their wavelength range, whereas other broadband achromatic lenses use materials and production techniques that are expensive. The product to be developed in this project offers a combination of materials that are not only affordable but also production friendly, resulting in the fabrication of a relatively inexpensive optic with superior achromatic properties. The project will result in a prototype lens that can be readily used in optical microscopy applications, providing imaging opportunities from the visible to the mid-infrared. Discovered during a research-oriented project, the proposed achromat is composed of calcium fluoride and sapphire. Initial simulations have confirmed that the combination of these two materials produces achromatic lenses over an extended range. The project will further fine-tune the material parameters before the components are fabricated and the lenses are assembled with high precision. The prototype will be extensively tested before copies are disseminated for purchase to users in the field. The project will form an extensive training experience for a graduate and an undergraduate student, who will be involved with the engineering, testing and commercial decision making process. The project also engages engineers and business development personnel from the Zygo, a market leader in custom optics fabrication, to drive this technology translation effort from research discovery toward commercial reality.