ISO 10110-16:2023

Overview

ISO 10110-16:2023 - "Optics and photonics - Preparation of drawings for optical elements and systems - Part 16: Diffractive surfaces" defines standardized methods for presenting, describing and dimensioning diffractive surfaces on technical drawings. It clarifies how to document diffractive optical elements (DOEs) - including relief- and index-based phase structures and computer-generated holograms (CGHs) - when added to base surfaces such as planes, spheres, aspheres or general optical surfaces. The standard is part of the ISO 10110 series and complements vocabulary in ISO 15902. It explicitly excludes random surface textures (e.g., stochastic AR structures), 3D extended diffractive devices (Bragg gratings, volume holograms, acousto‑optic modulators), and does not cover test/qualification methods or manufacturing tools.

Key Topics

• Presentation and dimensioning of diffractive regions and diffractive test regions in optical drawings.
• Coordinate systems and referencing: definition of global (part) and local (diffractive structure) coordinate systems, local reference axis (Z′) on the base surface, transformation rules between local and global axes, and sign conventions.
• Positioning and orientation: specifying lateral position (two degrees of freedom) and, where relevant, azimuthal orientation for rotationally variant structures.
• Symbols, marking and hatching for clear drawing indications and reference marks used to locate diffractive structures.
• Technological parameters and substrate specifications: how to indicate base-surface form, associated surface form tolerances and wavefront deformation tolerances on drawings (references to other ISO 10110 parts).
• Data exchange: guidance on how to supply diffractive structure data with drawings, including transformation tables and explicit data points.
• Annexes: informative classification of diffractive structures and descriptions of the three most common types - linear gratings, concentric circular gratings and computer-generated diffractive structures.

Applications

ISO 10110-16 is intended for professionals who need to specify diffractive optical functions in engineering drawings and data exchanges:

• Optical designers and systems engineers documenting DOEs and CGHs in lens and module drawings.
• Drafting and CAD teams preparing standardized optical drawings for procurement.
• Suppliers and manufacturers receiving drawing specifications for fabrication and integration (clarifies positioning, orientation and test regions).
• Quality assurance, metrology and assembly teams that rely on unambiguous drawing indications to verify alignment, centring and optical function (note: the standard does not prescribe test methods).

By standardizing how diffractive surfaces are documented, ISO 10110-16 improves clarity in procurement, reduces ambiguity in manufacturing transfers and supports consistent data exchange across optical supply chains.

Related Standards

• ISO 10110-1 (General)
• ISO 10110-5 (Surface form tolerances)
• ISO 10110-6 (Centring)
• ISO 10110-14 (Wavefront deformation tolerance)
• ISO 15902 (Diffractive optics - Vocabulary)