US Patent:
20180106931, Apr 19, 2018
Inventors:
- Arlington VA, US
Richard Flynn - Newbury Park CA, US
James S. Shirk - Alexandria VA, US
Joseph Mait - Bethesda MD, US
Predrag Milojkovic - Bethesda MD, US
Assignee:
The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Arlington VA
International Classification:
G02B 3/00
G02C 7/02
B33Y 70/00
B29D 11/00
Abstract:
Three or more base optical materials are selectively combined into a trans-gradient index (GRIN) optical element (e.g., a lens). A wavelength-dependent index of refraction for light propagating perpendicular to the three or more optical materials equals: a volume fraction of a first optical material multiplied by a refractive index of the first optical material, plus a volume fraction of a second optical material multiplied by a refractive index of the second optical material, plus one minus the volume fraction of the first optical material and the volume of the second optical material all multiplied by the refractive index of a third optical material. The wavelength-dependent index of refraction distribution and a refractive index dispersion through the GRIN optical element may be independently specified from one another. A local refractive index at any point in the optical element is a fixed function of a refractive index of each individual optical material.