Overview
ISO 14880-1:2019 - Optics and photonics: Microlens arrays - Part 1: Vocabulary defines the standard terminology, symbols and units used for microlens arrays. It applies to arrays of very small lenses formed inside or on one or more surfaces of a common substrate, and to multi-array systems. The third edition (2019) updates and harmonizes terms to improve compatibility and interchangeability of microlens-array products and components across suppliers and applications.
Key Topics
This vocabulary standard establishes consistent technical language for microlens arrays and covers:
- Scope and definitions for microlens, microlens array, lenticular arrays, structured arrays, condenser arrays and Gabor superlenses.
- Symbols and units (e.g., pitch, focal length, radius of curvature, numerical aperture, focal spot size, geometric and diffraction-limited apertures).
- Geometrical and optical properties including aperture shape, lens width, focal ratio, imaging quality (MTF or Strehl ratio), wavefront aberration and chromatic aberration (effective Abbe-number).
- Coordinate system and positioning (clause on Cartesian coordinates, lens aperture centre positions, focal spot coordinates and focal spot position shifts).
- Properties of individual lenses and array structure (regular vs. irregular arrays).
- Informative annexes that summarize common applications (telecommunications; image sensor arrays; LCD projection panels; wavefront sensors; stereo displays; 3D imaging and light-field cameras).
Keywords: microlens arrays, microlens vocabulary, numerical aperture, focal length, wavefront aberration, geometric aperture, diffraction-limited.
Applications
ISO 14880-1:2019 is essential where clear, repeatable definitions are required:
- Design and production of micro-optical components for camera modules and image sensors.
- Development of wavefront sensors, beam homogenizers and condenser arrays in metrology and astronomy.
- Engineering of display optics (LCD projection, 2D/3D displays, lenticular screens) and light‑field / 3D imaging systems.
- Specification and procurement documents where consistent terminology reduces ambiguity in contracts and testing.
Who should use this standard
- Optical designers and engineers working on microoptics and photonics.
- Manufacturers and suppliers of microlens arrays and micro-optical assemblies.
- Test laboratories and quality engineers performing optical characterization (MTF, focal spot, aberrations).
- Systems engineers integrating microlens arrays into cameras, sensors, displays and illumination systems.
- Standards bodies and technical writers preparing product specifications.
Related standards
- Other parts of the ISO 14880 series (see ISO catalogue for the full list).
- ISO 15529 (referenced for Modulation Transfer Function measurements).
- ISO/IEC Directives for standards development and terminology guidance.
Using ISO 14880-1:2019 ensures consistent, industry-wide language for microlens array design, testing and integration-helping reduce errors, improve interoperability and speed product development.
