Optical design method for uniform imaging environment of specular objects

This paper reports a novel imaging technique to create a uniform imaging environment for specular objects that reflect their surroundings and cause anomalies and noise. Traditional methods using a dome light and a coaxial light have faced technical challenges, especially since the size of the coaxial light must increase with the curvature of the object. This study proposes a new approach that combines a dome light with a rectangular light and a cube beam splitter instead of the coaxial light. The method includes numerical formulas to design the combination of each optical element. Simulations and experiments validate the proposed method and confirm its effectiveness in providing a uniform imaging environment while minimizing the size of the optical system. This technique is expected to be widely used to create uniform imaging environments and contribute to the advancement of related imaging technologies, such as surface inspection and precision measurement. • Proposed an imaging system using Cube BS and Rectangular Light for uniformity. • Presented formulas to precisely design optical systems eliminating non-uniformity. • Addressed object curvature issues without compromising optical system performance. • Achieved superior imaging, inspection, and measurement over coaxial light systems. • Optimized system size while ensuring uniformity and imaging quality.