Optimizing triangle mesh lenses for non-uniform illumination with an extended source

Precise control of irradiance distribution is a complicated problem for freeform lens design, especially when the tar- get is non-uniform. Realistic sources are often simplified as zero-etendue ones in cases designed for content-rich irradi- ance fields while the surfaces are usually assumed smooth everywhere. These practices can limit the performance of the designs. We developed an efficient proxy for Monte Carlo (MC) ray tracing under extended sources, with the linear property of our triangle mesh (TM) freeform surface. Our designs show finer irradiance control compared to their counterparts from the LightTools design feature. One of the lenses is fabricated and evaluated in an experiment, and per- formed as expected.(c) 2023 Optica Publishing Group

Automated summary

Precise control of irradiance distribution is a complicated problem for freeform lens design. Simplified assumptions about light sources and surface smoothness can limit design performance. We developed an efficient proxy for Monte Carlo ray tracing under extended sources using triangle mesh freeform surfaces. Our designs showed finer irradiance control compared to LightTools. One lens was fabricated and performed as expected in an experiment.