Review of standards for microlenses and microlens arrays.

Microlenses have been developed over recent years for a variety of applications including coupling of light from optical fibres and light emitting diodes (LEDs), improving the optical efficiency of charge coupled devices (CCDs) for cameras, liquid crystal display (LCD) panels for projectors and flat panel displays, and the generation of three-dimensional images. Microlenses are loosely defined as lenses with a diameter less than 1 mm and usually have dimensions measured in micrometres. They may be fabricated individually or in regular arrays on a single substrate. Because of the small apertures and the relatively thick substrates involved, it is generally not possible to use traditional definitions and test methods for the parameters involved. This paper describes a brief history of microlenses and reviews the development of the ISO 14880 series of standards, developed to assist manufacturers and users to specify and assess microlenses and microlens arrays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]