TS EN ISO 15902

TS EN ISO 15902 is a vocabulary standard for the field of diffractive optics. Its subject is the set of terms and definitions used to describe optical elements that use microstructured surfaces and wave effects to modify the direction, distribution, or phase of light. In general technical terms, this sits apart from simple refraction or reflection because the optical function is created by controlled diffraction and phase manipulation.

Why terminology matters in diffractive optics

In diffractive optics, terms such as diffractive structure, phase control, diffraction order, and beam redistribution are closely related but not interchangeable. A shared vocabulary helps designers, manufacturers, test laboratories, and technical writers use the same language consistently. In broader engineering practice, diffractive elements are used in beam shaping, spectral separation, holographic functions, and compact optical assemblies where conventional bulk optics may be less suitable.

What this document is as a standard

This is a terminology standard rather than a performance specification. Documents of this type focus on defining concepts clearly so that drawings, datasheets, reports, and specifications can distinguish between similar optical functions without ambiguity. Because diffractive optics intersects with geometric optics, interference, and wave optics, precise language is especially important. This edition is withdrawn, but it remains useful as a historical and technical reference for the subject area.