Surface topology and functionality of freeform microlens arrays

Nonsymmetric (also known as freeform) optical components have attracted a great deal of academic and industrial attention due to the substantial benefits they demonstrated in imaging nonimaging systems. Additionally, freeform microlens arrays (FMLAs) are very promising with regard growing demand for device miniaturization cost reduction. As flip side, FMLAs entail specific challenges design, manufacturing, characterization. Here we report on latter present an innovative characterization strategy that makes it possible assess quality quickly accurately. The precisely measured surface topology was accurately represented using nonuniform rational basis-spline (NURBS) its response predicted by means ray-tracing simulations. We show reliably topology, results excellent agreement experimental measurements. also that, compared previous studies, illuminance levels displayed logarithmic scale more adequate low light represent closer match nonlinear human visual perception. believe method presented here will contribute speeding up FMLA manufacturing process, one current downsides this technology.