Advancements in inkjet printing technology have enabled the manufacturing of volumetric gradient-index (GRIN) optics, which offer added degrees of freedom (DOF) in controlling geometric and chromatic aberrations. By precisely formulating the refractive index spectra of the feedstock, GRIN lenses can achieve independent control over primary and secondary dispersion, eliminating the need for multiple surface-figured lenses. This allows a single monolithic GRIN device to perform the optical functions of multiple homogeneous-index surface-shaped optics. The measured results from a series of up to 50-mm diameter GRIN lenses implementing spheric, high-order aspheric, freeform, plano-convex, and aspheric-GRIN optical elements will be discussed, showcasing what may be the highest DOF ever exhibited in a monolithic optical lens.
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