IUCRC Phase III University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Center for Freeform Optics (CeFO)

自由光学中心（CeFO）是罗切斯特大学（UR）和北卡罗来纳州夏洛特大学（夏洛特夏洛特）之间的合作伙伴关系。作为第三阶段工业大学合作研究中心，CeFO将继续通过与工业和政府实验室的长期合作伙伴关系，推进自由光学科学，工程和应用领域的研究和教育。CeFO的动机是需要紧凑，负担得起的，高性能的光学系统，以支持世纪的精密技术。自由曲面光学器件为复杂的光映射和三维（3-D）折叠光学系统提供了紧凑的光学解决方案。直接受益的应用包括3D成像和可视化、增强现实和虚拟现实、红外和军用光学系统、高效汽车和LED照明、能源研究、遥感、半导体制造和检测以及医疗和辅助技术。CeFO通过整合基础和应用研究（包括人工智能优化算法）以及设计、制造、测试和组装方面的重大进展，使自由曲面光学器件渗透到市场中。CeFO创造了一个肥沃的，充满活力的，包容的，多学科的环境来推进这项技术。合作大学致力于从科学、技术、工程和数学领域的其他代表性不足的群体中招募和留住妇女和学生（即，约40%的平均在首席财务官），以创造一个多元化和熟练的劳动力，为21世纪世纪。自由光学中心（CeFO）垂直整合数学、材料科学、光学科学、光学仪器设计、光学机械学以及精密光学制造、测量和测试，致力于在世纪改变光学行业。CeFO构成了一个独特的研究环境，结合了两所世界级研究型大学的优势，具有设计，建造和测量先进光学系统的专业经验，见解和跨学科人才。夏洛特在制造、计量和精密光学机械设计方面的卓越成就与罗切斯特大学在光学理论、设计和计量方面的专业知识相辅相成。该行业直接感兴趣的研究主题包括自由曲面和设计方法的数学描述，量化中间空间频率（MSF）对光学性能的影响，新兴的制造方法，包括基于激光和增材制造，以及跨越形式和MSF的自由曲面光学的精密计量。 额外的挑战包括使用复杂的光学材料、减轻MSF、批量制造（例如，复制、成型、3D打印），并在工艺链中集成人工智能优化算法。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The Center for Freeform Optics (CeFO) is a partnership between the University of Rochester (UR) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte). As a Phase III Industry University Cooperative Research Center, CeFO will continue to advance research and education in Freeform Optics science, engineering, and applications through dedicated, long-term partnerships with industry and government laboratories. CeFO is motivated by the need for compact, affordable, high-performance optical systems to support the precision technologies of the 21st century. Freeform optics enables compact optical solutions for complex light mapping and optical systems folding in three dimensions (3-D). Applications with immediate benefit include 3-D imaging and visualization, augmented and virtual reality, infrared and military optical systems, efficient automotive and LED lighting, energy research, remote sensing, semiconductor manufacturing and inspection, and medical and assistive technologies. CeFO enables freeform optics to permeate the marketplace by integrating fundamental and applied research, including artificial intelligence optimization algorithms, and significant advances in design, fabrication, testing, and assembly. CeFO creates a fertile, dynamic, inclusive, multidisciplinary environment to advance this technology. The partner universities are dedicated to recruiting and retaining women and students from other underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and math (i.e., ~40% average in CeFO) to create a diverse and skilled workforce for the 21st century. Students work with CeFO industrial members to communicate and transfer critical enabling technologies.The Center for Freeform Optics (CeFO) vertically integrates mathematics, materials science, optical science, optical instrument design, optomechanics, and precision optical manufacturing, measurement, and testing to transform the optics industry in the 21st century. CeFO constitutes a unique research environment combining the strengths of two world-class research universities with specialized experiences, insights, and interdisciplinary talents for designing, building, and measuring advanced optical systems. UNC Charlotte's excellence in fabrication, metrology, and precision opto-mechanical design complements the University of Rochester's expertise in optical theory, design, and metrology. Research topics of immediate interest to the industry include the mathematical descriptions of freeform surfaces and design methodologies, quantifying the impact of mid-spatial frequencies (MSFs) on optical performance, emerging manufacturing methods including laser-based and additive manufacturing, and precision metrology for freeform optics spanning form and MSFs. Additional challenges include using complex optical materials, mitigating MSFs, volume manufacturing (e.g., replication, molding, 3D printing), and integrating artificial intelligence optimization algorithms in process chains. Freeform optical systems will enable innovation in sensing, imaging, visualization, and diagnostic instrumentation.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.