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

自由光学中心（CeFO）是由北卡罗来纳州大学夏洛特分校（UNC夏洛特）和罗切斯特大学（UR）合作建立的。CeFO通过与行业和政府实验室的长期合作伙伴关系，推进自由曲面光学的科学、工程和应用方面的研究和教育。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。自由曲面光学器件专门为复杂的光映射以及三维折叠光学系统提供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以及设计、制造和测试方面的重大进展，使自由曲面光学渗透到市场中。CeFO创造了一个肥沃、充满活力、包容的多学科环境，将这项技术推向前沿。伙伴大学致力于招收和留住来自代表性不足群体的妇女和学生（即2017年春季CeFO学生人数不足34%），为21世纪创造多元化、熟练的劳动力。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、光机和精密光学制造，测量和测试，以改变世纪的光学行业。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，计量和精密光机设计方面的专业知识补充了罗切斯特大学在光学理论，设计和计量方面的卓越成就。工业界直接感兴趣的研究课题包括自由曲面的数学描述，光学性能的中间空间频率误差的量化，以及自由曲面系统的基于波的建模和3D光学设计的新基础。其他挑战包括使用困难的光学材料，表征和消除中间空间频率误差，批量制造（例如复制，模塑，3D打印）以及自由曲面的先进计量。自由形态光学系统将通过在3D中引导光来实现传感、成像、可视化和诊断仪器的创新。合作大学在招收女性和少数民族学生方面表现出色（该计划的研究生占30%）。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 North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) and the University of Rochester (UR). CeFO is advancing research and education in the science, engineering, and applications of freeform optics 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 specifically enables compact optical solutions for complex light mapping as well as folding optical systems in three-dimensions. 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 through integration of fundamental and applied research and significant advances in design, fabrication, and testing.CeFO creates a fertile, dynamic, inclusive multidisciplinary environment to move this technology to the forefront. The partner universities are dedicated to the recruitment and retention of women and students from underrepresented groups (i.e. 34% underrepresented students in CeFO in Spring 2017) to create a diverse and skilled workforce for the 21st century.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 expertise in fabrication, metrology and precision opto-mechanical design complements the University of Rochester's excellence in optical theory, design, and metrology. Research topics of immediate interest to industry include the mathematical description of freeform surfaces, the quantification of mid-spatial frequency errors on optical performance, and wave-based modeling of freeform systems and new bases for 3D optical design. Additional challenges include use of difficult optical materials, characterization and elimination of mid-spatial frequency errors, volume manufacturing (e.g. replication, molding, 3D printing), and advanced metrology for freeform surfaces. Freeform optical systems will enable innovation in sensing, imaging, visualization and diagnostic instrumentation by directing light in 3D. The partner Universities demonstrate excellent records in recruiting women and minority students (30% of graduate students in the program). Students work with CeFO industrial members to communicate and transfer key enabling technologies.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.