Freeform Optics

Freeform optics is defined as: any non-rotationally symmetric surface or a symmetric surface that is rotated about any axis that is not its axis of symmetry. Thus, it is essentially an optic that lacks symmetry with respect to the optical axis. Some of the best examples of such are the headlights and taillamps on cars, which are often faceted reflectors for bulbs or asymmetric arrays for LED sources. I present the reasoning of why freeform optics is important, present some of the design methods (for nonimaging design), and discuss an example that uses an example of wall-wash illumination.