Phase II IUCRC at University of Rochester: Center for Freeform Optics

自由光学中心（CeFO）是罗切斯特大学（UR）和北卡罗来纳大学夏洛特分校（UNC Charlotte）之间的合作伙伴关系。通过与工业和政府实验室的长期合作，CeFO正在推进自由曲面光学科学、工程和应用方面的研究和教育。为了支持21世纪的精密技术，CeFO的动力来自于对紧凑、经济、高性能光学系统的需求。自由曲面光学特别为复杂的光映射以及三维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步，使自由曲面光学能够渗透到市场中。CeFO创造了一个肥沃的、充满活力的、包容的多学科环境，将这项技术推向前沿。合作大学致力于招募和留住女性和代表性不足群体的学生（2017年春季CeFO中代表性不足的学生占34%），为21世纪创造多样化和熟练的劳动力。自由曲面光学中心（CeFO）垂直整合数学、材料科学、光学科学、光学仪器设计、光学力学以及精密光学制造、测量和测试，以改变21世纪的光学产业。CeFO形成了一个独特的研究环境，结合了两所世界一流研究型大学的优势，以及设计、建造和测量先进光学系统的专业经验、见解和跨学科人才。罗切斯特大学在？光学理论、设计和计量？与北卡罗来纳大学夏洛特分校在？制造、计量及精密光机械设计。工业直接感兴趣的研究课题包括自由曲面的数学描述，光学性能的中空间频率误差的量化，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，表征和消除中空间频率误差，批量制造（例如复制，成型，3D打印）以及自由曲面的先进计量。自由形式光学系统将通过在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（占该项目研究生的30%）方面表现出色。学生与CeFO工业成员一起交流和转让关键的使能技术。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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). 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. The University of Rochester's expertise in?optical theory, design, and metrology?complements UNC Charlotte's excellence in?fabrication, metrology and precision opto-mechanical design. 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.