Schott Ag

Eberhard Kurek

Harry Wagener

Ruediger Kittelmann

Ralf Becker

Ulrich Zirfas

The optical diffuser has a transparent base body with a base body surface, which is divided into facets. Each facet has an elevation or a depression correlated or associated with a second curved surface. Respective facets have correspondingly different geometrical shapes. In some embodiments the respective apexes (S) of the elevations or depressions are arranged along a spiral, especially an Archimedean spiral. In other embodiments the apexes (S) are defined by coordinates (x', y&#x2032;) derived by rotation of coordinates (x, y) of all points (P), which are defined by an arrangement of facets with regular hexagonal edge contours, about a center (0, 0) through a twist angle (&#x3b4;). Alternatively the apexes (S) are defined by coordinates (x&#x2033;, y&#x2033;) derived from coordinates (x, y) of all points (P), which are defined by the arrangement of facets with regular hexagonal edge contours, by random variations with the help of a Monte Carlo method. The optical diffuser according to the invention produces a circular soft-edged light field, which is outstanding for photographic applications.

Optical diffuser for producing a circular light field

The optical diffuser has a transparent base body with a first surface, which is divided into facets. Each facet has an elevation or a depression correlated or associated with a second curved surface. Respective facets have correspondingly different geometrical shapes. In some embodiments the respective apexes (S) of the elevations or depressions are arranged along a spiral, especially an Archimedian spiral. In other embodiments the apexes (S) are defined by coordinates (x', y&#x2032;) derived by rotation of coordinates (x, y) of all points (P), which are defined by an arrangement of facets with a regular hexagonal edge contour, about a center (0, 0) through a twist angle (&#x3b4;). Alternatively the apexes (S) are defined by coordinates (x&#x2033;, y&#x2033;) derived from coordinates (x, y) of all points (P), which are defined by the arrangement of facets with the regular hexagonal edge contour, by random variations with the help of a Monte Carlo method. The optical diffuser according to the invention produces a circular soft-edged light field, which is outstanding for photographic applications.

Growing community of inventors

Kalefeld, Germany

Eberhard Kurek