The Free-Form Scattering Optics program is a joint initiative where three Universities of The Netherlands work together to enable high-tech optical devices that contribute to energy efficacy, climate change, internet-of-things, food, and water quality and quantity, and security, in the interest of rendering the unstoppable worldwide urbanization sustainable.
Currently, the high-tech industry is developing a surge of novel devices that combine light scattering with free-formed optics, such as LED lighting, miniaturized satellites, metrology equipment for the semiconductor industry, and optically secured bank cards. Due to a lack of fundamental know-how on the combination of the technologies, the devices are being designed by educated guesses, which limits progress and applications.
Our multidisciplinary physics and mathematics team aims to realize a new paradigm Free-form scattering optics that unites traditionally distinct technologies with a hierarchy of length scales ranging from the microscopic (nanometers) to the macroscopic (centimeters). We develop insights, design rules, and new architectures for free-form scattering optics that allow us to create breakthroughs in several domains as described above simultaneously.
The program directly taps into the strengths of the high-tech industry, enhances the knowledge infrastructure, develops new networks of expertise, and educates a new generation of highly skilled professionals. The program is funded by NWO-TTW and our partners.
Principal investigators (PIs): Willem L. Vos & Wilbert Ijzerman