Matrix Creation for Mass-Manufacturing the Microprismatic Plane-Focusing Lenses

We propose an algorithm for simulating matrix parameters suitable for mass- manufacturing the microprismatic plane-focusing Fresnel lenses. These specialized lenses create a homogeneous light spot at the focus, distinguishing them from traditional point-focusing Fresnel lenses. Incorporating plane-focusing lenses into automatic control systems with four-plane photodetectors enables the formation of linear direction-finding characteristics for moving objects with an expanded bearing angle. In solar photovoltaic modules, these lenses offer optimal solutions for reducing internal ohmic losses, thereby mitigating module overheating caused by sunlight concentration on the module surface. However, plane-focusing lenses are not currently available in optical practice, necessitating their mass production. In this paper the geometrical parameters of our plane-focusing microprism devices are specialized for lens and matrix formation using diamond cutting technique. This facilitates mass manufacturing of the lenses via thermo-pressing method. The simulated lens parameters have been investigated using computer modeling with Solidworks 2016 and TracePro 7.3. Samples of plane-focusing microprismatic lenses were fabricated by thermal pressing of polycarbonate workpieces with a metal stamp-matrix created using our simulation data. The optical characteristics of manufactured lens samples were experimentally tested using a collimated laser beam.