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Center for Freeform Optics (CeFO)

The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the Center author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Center Overview

The mission of the Center for Freeform Optics (CeFO) is to advance research and education in the science, engineering, and application of systems based on freeform optics through a dedicated, continuing partnership between industry and academia, leading to economic and performance advantages. CeFO's vision is that compact, affordable, and high-performance optical systems based on freeform optics will be a part of future technologies.

CeFO's international consortium brings together experts in optical theory, design, manufacture, assembly, and testing and measurement. The synergy created by combining these areas of expertise accelerates the development and commercialization of state-of-the-art optical systems. The benefits of freeform optics - new functions, higher performance, reductions in volume and weight - affect a broad range of applications, from consumer technology to high-precision optics for space exploration.

CeFO was created to launch the permanent introduction of freeform surfaces into the manufacturing infrastructure for optical systems worldwide. CeFO is focuses on advances in promising fabrication possibilities, from diamond machining to emerging technologies such as laser polishing and 3D printing. Advances in grinding and computer-controlled polishing, ion beam finishing, and magnetorheological finishing with appropriate control of midspatial frequencies and surface roughness are expected to enable future generations of ultraprecise extreme ultraviolet optics. Freeform optics has the potential to impact a broad wavelength range, from infrared surveillance to extreme ultraviolet lithography.

CeFO provides the synergistic, collaborative working space to bring freeform optical surfaces into the mainstream of optical systems and to broadly educate a powerful, diversified workforce of engineers and scientists.

Universities

University of North Carolina, Charlotte
University of Rochester

View Center Website

Center Personnel

Jannick P. Rolland
Director of CeFO, Brian J. Thompson Professor of Optical Engineering
+1 585 276 4562
rolland@optics.rochester.edu

Matthew Davies
Center Staff
+1 704 687 1888
madavies@uncc.edu

Research Focus

CeFO's research focuses on freeform optics as an enabling technology in many markets and applications. There are four main research areas:

Advanced materials for fabrication and manufacturing of freeform optics. Emerging technologies, such as fast-tool servo diamond turning, ultraprecision grinding, and high-precision molding require many refinements to achieve the best possible optical quality and speed of material removal at low cost. These technologies must also solve long-standing problems with manufacturing-induced defects and surface artifacts. Emerging technologies such as laser polishing and 3D printing are poised to transform freeform optics manufacturing, including mass production.
Fundamentals of freeform optics. This area encompasses mathematical descriptions of freeform surfaces, aberration theory of systems that depart from rotational symmetry and leverage freeform surfaces, light propagation through freeform optical systems, optical design methods, and tools to bridge design to manufacture.
Optical testing for freeform optics. Optical fabrication is limited by optical metrology. Freeform optics presents a grand challenge in optical testing to achieve both nanometer accuracy and speed for cost-effective manufacturing.
Software integration. Software plays a key role in the manufacturing chain. CeFO is developing a software platform, FabTool, in a closed feedback loop with CeFO members to seamlessly and efficiently bridge from design to manufacture.

Awards

1822026

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

The Center for Freeform Optics (CeFO) is a partnership between the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) and the University of Rochester (UR). 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. UNC Charlotte's expertise in fabrication, metrology and precision opto-mechanical design complements the University of Rochester's excellence in optical theory, design, and metrology. 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. Read More >

1822049

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

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. Read More >

Member Organizations

IUCRC affiliated member organizations are displayed as submitted by the Center. Non-federal organizations are not selected, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the National Science Foundation.

Nikon Research Corporation of America
Optimax
OptiPro Systems, LLC
Opto Alignment
Samsung
Synopsys
Thales
Vision Products