Multi-aperture pattern projection using arbitrary shaped microlenslets

R. Kundu; D. Michaelis; P. Schreiber; P. Schleicher; A. Schöneberg; R. Leitel; A. Tünnermann; U. Breyer

doi:10.1117/12.2675559

2 October 2023 Multi-aperture pattern projection using arbitrary shaped microlenslets

R. Kundu, D. Michaelis, P. Schreiber, P. Schleicher, A. Schöneberg, R. Leitel, A. Tünnermann, U. Breyer

Proceedings Volume 12666, Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical Engineering XXIV; 1266608 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2675559
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2023, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Micro-optical projectors consist of a double-sided, aligned microlens array (MLA) with an absorptive slide mask array buried under the entrance condenser lenslets. While the exit lenslets project the slides, the condenser lenslets realize Kohler illumination of the multiple projector channels. To achieve high system transmission, the condenser lenslets have to be positioned in a space-filling arrangement. For arbitrary projected shapes, the slide further reduces the effective fill-factor of a channel. We propose to increase fill-factor and simplify architecture of the MLA by replacing the buried slides by condenser lenslets with certain elementary shapes, building an irregular entrance array with space-filling parqueting. The condenser lenslets´ apertures are imaged by the projector lenslets towards certain positions in the far-field, controlled by the decentration between condenser contour and projector vertex. This enables for optional ‘jigsawing’ of the intended pattern from elementary images. Any residual MLA regions, that cannot be covered by condenser lenslet apertures, can be excluded from projection by patterning with diffusor structures, which scatter away incident light under large angles. Now, that we have excluded the buried mask array, such double-sided MLA can be replicated not only as precise polymer-on-glass elements (POG), but also by cheaper high-volume techniques like injection molding (IM), making the latter attractive for the automotive industry. An automotive projecting chase light blinker based on this concept, employing controlled channel crosstalk, replicated as POG is presented. IM replication of MLA is currently underway. We evaluate the performance and present a brief outlook of mask-less, multi-aperture microoptics.

Conference Presentation

(2023) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

R. Kundu, D. Michaelis, P. Schreiber, P. Schleicher, A. Schöneberg, R. Leitel, A. Tünnermann, and U. Breyer "Multi-aperture pattern projection using arbitrary shaped microlenslets", Proc. SPIE 12666, Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical Engineering XXIV, 1266608 (2 October 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2675559

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