Analysis of uniformity of illumination of a freeform lens when combined with different optical sources

Abstract

This paper presents the performance analysis of a freeform lens that can be used as a first or secondary optic when combined with a point or an extended light source. The light source can be an LED. The purpose of the optic is to increase uniformity of illumination within the footprint. The analysis is performed on the freeform lens when combined with: (i) an isotopic or a Lambertian point light source (ii) an isotropic or a Lambertian extended light source. This paper shows that through a design based on energy mapping between a light source and a target plane it is possible to achieve uniform illumination. The ZEMAX ray tracing simulation shows that the uniformity reduces gradually when the size of the light source increases. The results indicate that a freeform lens combined with a point source can generate over 95% uniformity.