Lens Design Using Optical Aberration Coefficients

Paul N. Robb

doi:10.1117/12.959075

16 September 1980 Lens Design Using Optical Aberration Coefficients

Paul N. Robb

Proceedings Volume 0237, 1980 International Lens Design Conference; (1980) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.959075
Event: 1980 International Lens Design Conference, 1980, Oakland, United States

Abstract

Many of the lens design computer programs used today optimize a design by minimizing a list of image errors which have been selected because of their relation to the quality of the image. In many cases, it is preferable to minimize quantities that are direct measures of the image quality of the design. An example of one such quantity is the rms spot size, which is commonly computed by tracing grids of rays through the lens. The method, while very convenient, can be an expensive way to optimize a lens because of the number of rays that must be traced to get reliable spot diagram statistics. We have developed another approach, based on Buchdahl's Optical Aberration Coefficients (OAC's). The OAC's form polynomial models of the imaging behavior of a lens and can therefore be used to compute its performance. We replace the summations in an ordinary spot diagram calculation with integrals over the aperture and thereby obtain the rms spot size. The answers are free from aperture sampling effects, and the optimization is 6:1 faster than a ray-trace based method using 8 rays at three positions in the field. We review the mathematical methods employed and show examples of the accuracy and cost effectiveness of the OAC approach in lens design.

Citation Download Citation

Paul N. Robb "Lens Design Using Optical Aberration Coefficients", Proc. SPIE 0237, 1980 International Lens Design Conference, (16 September 1980); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.959075

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