Advanced Hybrid Optical Surfaces, Holographic Elements, and Computational Optics: Design, Fabrication, Metrology, and Emerging Applications

The rapid evolution of optical technologies is driving the development of optical surfaces and components that extend far beyond conventional spherical and aspherical optics. Emerging applications in high-performance imaging, laser systems, augmented and virtual reality, sensing, optical communications, computing, and advanced instrumentation increasingly require complex optical surfaces with tightly controlled geometry, structure, phase, polarization, and surface quality. Freeform optics, hybrid optical surfaces, diffractive and holographic elements, micro- and nano-optics, metasurfaces, and other structured optical components are enabling unprecedented levels of optical functionality while simultaneously introducing significant challenges in design, fabrication, metrology, and performance evaluation.This Research Topic aims to bring together recent advances across the complete development lifecycle of advanced optical surfaces, from physical and computational design through precision manufacturing, surface finishing, metrology, characterization, and system-level applications. Rather than treating physical optics and computational algorithms in isolation, this collection emphasizes the co-design of hybrid physical–computational optical systems, where physical structures encode optical wavefronts efficiently and computational methods reconstruct, correct, and enhance performance.The collection covers both established and emerging approaches, including ultra-precision machining, deterministic surface finishing, laser-based processing, micro/nano-fabrication, replication, additive and hybrid manufacturing, as well as advanced interferometric, profilometric, wavefront, and functional metrology. Computational optics, inverse design, digital twins, and machine learning are integrated throughout to connect design, manufacturing, and characterization into a coherent pipeline.Topics of Interest (Four Core Pillars)Pillar 1: Computational Design and Wavefront Engineering• Freeform, diffractive–freeform, and aspherical optical surfaces• Compound-eye and multi-aperture optical surfaces• Hybrid refractive–diffractive and multifunctional/multi-scale optical surfaces• Metasurfaces, metalenses, and subwavelength structured optical surfaces• Geometric-phase, polarization-engineered, and meta-optics integration with conventional optics• Holographic optical elements (HOEs), volume holography, and polarization volume gratings• Computational optical design, inverse design, and AI/ML-assisted optical optimization• End-to-end co-design of optical surfaces and reconstruction algorithmsPillar 2: Precision and Laser-Enabled Manufacturing• Ultra-precision machining, single-point diamond turning (SPDT), and freeform fabrication• Deterministic surface finishing, magnetorheological finishing (MRF), and bonnet polishing• Ultrafast and femtosecond laser processing, laser direct writing, and laser patterning• Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) and micro/nano-structuring• Laser-induced refractive-index modification and material functionalization• Lithography, nanoimprint, precision replication, and micro/nano-fabrication• Additive, subtractive, and hybrid manufacturing of complex optical componentsPillar 3: Advanced Metrology and Characterization• Form, figure, waviness, roughness, and surface topography measurement• Interferometric, profilometric, freeform, and micro/nano-scale optical metrology• Wavefront, phase, polarization, Mueller-matrix, and spectral characterization• Characterization of diffractive, holographic, and meta-optical components• In-process, in-situ, and on-machine metrology for closed-loop manufacturing• Computational metrology, phase retrieval, and inverse measurement techniques• Calibration, uncertainty evaluation, traceability, and quality controlPillar 4: Photonic Systems and Emerging Applications• Computational imaging, lensless/lens-free imaging, and digital aberration correction• Computational holography and holographic near-eye displays for AR/VR/MR• Biomedical, ophthalmic, and high-resolution endoscopic imaging• Optical sensing, optical computing, and advanced laser systems• Semiconductor, aerospace, and precision manufacturing applications• Design–manufacturing–metrology co-optimization and system-level demonstrations Topic editors: Vinod Mishra, Yeh-Wei Yu, Ki-Nam Joo Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86512/advanced-hybrid-optical-surfaces-holographic-elements-and-computational-optics-design-fabrication-metrology-and-emerging-applications