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

自由形式光学中心(CEFO)是罗切斯特大学(UR)和北卡罗来纳大学夏洛特分校(UNC Charlotte)的合作伙伴关系。作为第三阶段的工业大学合作研究中心，CeFO将通过与工业和政府实验室的长期合作伙伴关系，继续推进自由形式光学科学、工程和应用方面的研究和教育。CeFO的动力来自于对紧凑、经济实惠、高性能光学系统的需求，以支持21世纪的精密技术。自由形状光学为复杂的光线映射和光学系统在三维(3-D)中折叠提供紧凑型光学解决方案。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通过集成基础和应用研究(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步，使自由形状光学设备能够渗透到市场中。CeFO创造了一个肥沃、动态、包容的多学科环境来推动这项技术的发展。合作大学致力于从科学、技术、工程和数学领域其他代表性不足的群体中招聘和留住女性和学生(即CEFO的平均比例约为40%)，以培养面向21世纪的多样化和熟练的劳动力。自由形状光学中心(CEFO)垂直整合数学、材料科学、光学科学、光学仪器设计、光学机械和精密光学制造、测量和测试，以改变21世纪的光学工业。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，在设计、建造和测量先进光学系统方面具有专业经验、洞察力和跨学科人才。北卡罗来纳大学夏洛特分校在制造、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。业界直接感兴趣的研究课题包括自由曲面的数学描述和设计方法、量化中空间频率(MSF)对光学性能的影响、新兴制造方法(包括基于激光的制造和加法制造)以及跨越形式和MSF的自由曲面光学的精密计量。其他挑战包括使用复杂的光学材料、减少MSF、批量制造(例如复制、成型、3D打印)，以及在工艺链中集成人工智能优化算法。自由形状光学系统将推动传感、成像、可视化和诊断仪器的创新。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.