Micro-Optics Lens Array-Based Eyepiece and Objective Lens

To address the Navy need for microlens array (MLA) based wide field-of-view (FOV) night vision goggles (NVG) optical components, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) developed in Phase I a new Micro-Optics Lens Array-based eyepiece and objective lens (MOLA) technology. The MOLA is based on a unique combination of specifically designed MLA components for ocular and objective lenses that are required for NVG. The innovations in MOLA enable new MLA-based optics for NVG to achieve a scalable large FOV (>80 deg) within a compact form factor with reduced weight and an increased aperture of >40 mm. In Phase I, POC demonstrated the feasibility of the MOLA technology by designing and developing MOLA prototypes showing a scalable FOV and aperture size >40 mm in a compact and lightweight form factor (up to 4x weight/size reduction compared with bulk optics). POC has also developed multiple MOLA designs, analyzed associated trade-offs, and evaluated them against the performance criteria matching conventional optics. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a ANVIS-style MOLA prototype with >40 mm aperture and an image quality comparable to conventional bulk optics (including 70 lp/mm resolution) without distortion or image anomalies while 2x smaller and lighter than existing NVG optics.