Design of a distortion-corrected, short-focus projection optical system for curved display surface

Short-focus projection technology has always been a challenging research hotspot. This paper presents an integrated design methodology for a short-focus projection optical system tailored for curved display surfaces, combining optical optimization with an image predistortion framework based on Radial Basis Function (RBF) interpolation. The proposed all-refractive zoom system achieves high image quality across a projection range of 800 mm to 2400 mm. By incorporating a freeform surface screen and employing non-sequential ray tracing for validation, the system effectively compensates for irregular, asymmetric distortions introduced by curvature variations. Simulation results confirm excellent modulation transfer function (MTF) performance and uniform illumination, demonstrating the viability of the optical-image co-design approach for high-fidelity curved surface projection within confined spaces.