Hybrid Diffractive-Refractive Optics for Optical Display Systems

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will investigate the design and feasibility of fabricating hybrid diffractive-refractive optic magnifiers for use in optical display systems. The Phase I research objectives are to investigate designs for hybrid diffractive-refractive microlens arrays for the magnification of miniature flat panel electronic displays, to demonstrate the feasibility to fabricate and assemble hybrid diffractive-refractive microlens arrays utilizing microelectronics manufacturing and packaging technology, and to evaluate the performance of a demonstration optical display system. Miniature electronic displays exploit microelectronics manufacturing technology to produce high resolution active matrix displays at high yield and low cost. Assembly of a hybrid diffractive- refractive microlens array magnifier to a miniature electronics display will effect a large visible field with a high fill factor in a low weight, low profile, high performance package. The anticipated result will be a viable, scalable process for economical fabrication of large size passive or active matrix flat panel electronic displays with high efficiency, high resolution and high contrast but with low profile and low weight for military and commercial applications.