ISO 14880-1:2019

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.