Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOFDiffusers with customized surface profiles enable the highly efficient transformation of a light source's distribution into a desired angular distribution. An unique design process allows the modelling of locally resolved far-field distributions and light deflections. The resulting microscopic surface profiles can be realized in Fraunhofer IOF by using direct-writing grayscale photolithography and are suitable for many replication techniques.
Tailored-Light Diffusers
Your partner for Tailored-Light Diffusers for individual light distributions
Based on your specifications, we apply wave-optical methods to design a microscopic surface profile. Typical applications include the efficient homogenization of LED sources for scene lighting, the illumination for sensor detection areas, and projection screens with specific beam characteristics. The latter can be found, for example, as an intermediate image plane in head-up displays in series-production vehicles from well-known manufacturers. Fraunhofer IOF supports you in the realization of functional prototypes, small-batch production, and master molds for hot-embossing or injection molding.
Our Services and Competencies
A particular advantage of customized diffusers is found in their manufacturing process. Direct-writing grayscale lithography enables locally varying microstructure dimensions, enabling the design of a light distribution function with spatial variation. This permits a local change in scattering angle and the superposition of a chief ray deflection functionality. Notably the merging of homogenization and lens functionality can be realized.
The applications range from low-speckling beam shapers for laser sources to achromatic diffusers covering the entire RGB. Considering applicable materials, the area of application can be extended from UV to LWIR.
Star-shape diffuser element
Markets and Applications
We offer customized solutions for:
- LED beam shaping and homogenization with customized light distribution functions, e.g. Tophat, lines and more complex
- Projection screens (transmissive or reflective) with adjustable beam characteristics, e.g. intermediate image planes in projection systems (e.g. Head-Up-Display)
- and many more ...
Chevron shaped light pattern, created by
a one-sided diffuser element under 45°
Our Research Strength
- "Customized diffusers for efficient lighting optics"
(Jahresbericht 2021, Seite 32-33) - "Analysis of iterative design algorithms for achromatic deterministic diffusers." (Widholz, Georg, und Uwe Zeitner)
(Applied Optics 61.26, Seite 7571-7578) - "Micro-optical Free-Forms: Design and Fabrication" (U.D. Zeitner, P. Schleicher, G. Widholz, R. Leitel, D. Michaelis)
(11th International Conference on Optics-photonics Design & Fabrication ODF ’18, Hiroshima, Japan, 2018)
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