Distortion correction for imaging on non-planar surface using freeform lens

Abstract The method of designing a freeform lens which can image on a formula describable non-planar surface with low distortion was proposed aimed on distortion correction. In this method, the Snell's law and the correspondence between the coordinates of object and the distortion free image are used to establish the partial differential equation which characterizes the freeform surface, and the partial differential equation can be solved to form the freeform surface. Take projection on spherical surface for example, a freeform lens is designed. After adding this lens to the ordinary projection lens at a certain position, the system (ordinary projection lens and freeform lens) can project an image on sphere with absolute distortion about 2 mm for an observer at half of the projection distance, and the MTF on sphere is analyzed in detail after.