Dispersion tuning with a varifocal diffractive-refractive hybrid lens

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science
• Microscopy

Background:

• Traditional optical systems often face limitations in simultaneously controlling focal power and chromatic dispersion.
• Varifocal lenses and tunable refractive elements offer potential for advanced optical designs.
• Quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) requires precise control over optical parameters for accurate phase object reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a hybrid diffractive-refractive optical lens doublet.
• To demonstrate independent tunability of refractive power and Abbe number.
• To apply the hybrid lens for optimizing quantitative phase microscopy using a two-color transport of intensity approach.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a hybrid lens combining a varifocal Moiré Fresnel lens and a tunable polymer refractive lens.
• Investigation of the lens system's performance at zero overall refractive power.
• Tuning the Abbe number of a complementary standard lens while maintaining constant focal length.
• Application in a two-color transport of intensity (TIE) based QPM system.

Main Results:

• The hybrid lens successfully achieved independent control over focal tunability and dispersive characteristics.
• Separate adjustment of Abbe number and refractive power was demonstrated.
• The system was optimized for a two-color TIE approach in QPM, leveraging chromatic aberrations.

Conclusions:

• The proposed hybrid diffractive-refractive lens offers a novel solution for independently controlling optical power and chromatic dispersion.
• This technology enhances the capabilities of quantitative phase microscopy by enabling precise tuning of imaging parameters.
• The independent tunability is crucial for advanced optical metrology and imaging applications.