Automatic design method for miniature aspheric lens based on modified basin-hopping algorithm

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Computational Design
• Manufacturing Engineering

Background:

• The miniature camera lens industry produces over 4 billion units annually, driving demand for advanced lens designs.
• Traditional optical design methods are time-consuming, relying on iterative trial-and-error processes and significant designer input.
• Highly aspherical miniature camera lenses are critical for high-performance imaging in various applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid and automatic design method for highly aspherical miniature camera lenses.
• To eliminate the need for extensive designer intervention in the lens design process.
• To demonstrate the effectiveness of the modified basin-hopping algorithm in practical lens design.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a modified basin-hopping (MBH) algorithm for automated optical design.
• Inputting design requirements into the program to generate multiple lens solutions.
• Applying the MBH algorithm to design a 4P mobile phone lens and an ultra-wide-angle ADAS lens.

Main Results:

• Successful automatic generation of multiple highly aspherical miniature camera lens designs.
• The designed 4P mobile phone lens and ADAS lens exhibit excellent imaging quality.
• The MBH algorithm effectively designs complex aspheric surfaces for miniature lenses.

Conclusions:

• The MBH algorithm provides an innovative, effective, and practical solution for designing highly aspherical miniature camera lenses.
• This automated approach significantly reduces the development-to-market cycle for new lens technologies.
• The method lowers the engineering design threshold, making advanced lens design more accessible.