Optical Elements with Gradient Refractive Index and Optical Systems Including Such Optical Elements
AssigneeEdmund Optics, Inc.
InventorsGreg HOLLOWS, Shelby AMENT, Nathan CARLIE
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Abstract
An optical element includes a first surface and an opposed second surface. A refractive index of the optical element varies from a center of the optical element to a perimeter of the optical element such that the optical element is configured to convert a Gaussian input beam introduced to the first surface into an output beam from the second surface with a substantially flat irradiance profile along at least one axis. The optical element can have a refractive index that varies along an axis perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical element and has a profile that is concave up at a center of the optical element.
Claims31
An optical element, comprising:
- a first surface;
- and
- an opposed second surface;
- wherein a refractive index of the optical element varies from a center of the optical element to a perimeter of the optical element such that the optical element is configured to convert a Gaussian input beam introduced to the first surface into an output beam from the second surface with a substantially flat irradiance profile along at least one axis.
An optical system, comprising:
- an optical element, comprising:
- a first surface;
- and
- an opposed second surface;
- wherein a refractive index of the optical element varies from a center of the optical element to a perimeter of the optical element such that the optical element is configured to convert a Gaussian input beam introduced to the first surface into an output beam from the second surface with a substantially flat irradiance profile along at least one axis.
An optical element, comprising:
- a first surface, wherein an optical axis of the optical element is orthogonal to the first surface;
- and
- an opposed second surface;
- wherein the optical element has a refractive index that varies along an axis perpendicular to the optical axis, and wherein a profile of the refractive index of the optical element is concave up at a center of the optical element.
An optical system, comprising:
- an optical element, comprising:
- a first surface, wherein an optical axis of the optical element is orthogonal to the first surface;
- and
- an opposed second surface;
- wherein the optical element has a refractive index that varies along an axis perpendicular to the optical axis, and wherein a profile of the refractive index of the optical element is concave up at a center of the optical element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.