Optical Design Competition 2026
Can you fit the light from a square peg through a round hole?
Submissions were due June 15, 2026, and the competition is now closed. You can still explore the challenge and test new designs, but no new submissions will be accepted.
The Square Peg Challenge
"You can't fit a square peg in a round hole." That's what they say. But you know optics!
Your goal in this competition is to show that with the right optical system, you can fit a square peg through a round hole. Not by forcing wood through wood, but by making the peg emit light and sending that light through the hole.
Design a reflective optical system that takes all light emitted from a special cube-shaped source, and sends it into a circular opening. The fundamental laws of physics tell us this is possible: we've matched the étendue between the square peg and the round hole. The question is, how will you achieve it?
Everyone can try
We invite everyone to participate, whether you are an industry veteran or a new student.
No licence?
No problem! Get started using any CAD package or optical design software, even free ones. Test your design right here in the submission portal.
Practice makes perfect
The submission deadline has passed, but you can still test as many designs as you like in the portal.