Freeform liquid-crystal polarization imaging optics with aberration correction and efficiency control

The liquid-crystal polarization optical elements (LPOEs) has captured the attention of the researchers due to its distinctive characteristics, including lightweight structure, exceptional transparency, broad bandwidth, and polarization sensitivity. Despite these attributes, LPOEs have been typically confined to the role of a combiner rather than as an aberration correction element. This limitation stems from conventional design and fabrication methods which restrict the freedom of phase function in LPOEs. To address these challenges, we propose a design and fabrication method for the freeform liquid-crystal polarization imaging optics (LPIOs) by introducing freeform surfaces during the polarization exposure and conducting joint optimization throughout the design process. A prototype AR imaging system based on freeform LPIOs validates this method, proving the potential of freeform LPIO for applications requiring optics with aberration correction and efficiency control.