In the era of global optimization, the understanding of aberrations remains the key to designing superior optical systems

Julie L. Bentley; Craig Olson; Richard N. Youngworth

doi:10.1117/12.871720

9 November 2010 In the era of global optimization, the understanding of aberrations remains the key to designing superior optical systems

Julie L. Bentley, Craig Olson, Richard N. Youngworth

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7849, Optical Design and Testing IV; 78490C (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.871720
Event: Photonics Asia 2010, 2010, Beijing, China

Abstract

Historically, a thorough grounding in aberration theory was the only path to successful lens design, both for developing starting layouts and for design improvement. Modern global optimizers, however, allow the lens designer to easily generate multiple solutions to a single design problem without understanding the crucial importance of aberrations and how they determine the full design potential. Compared to pure numerical optimization, aberration theory applied during the lens design process gives the designer a much firmer grasp of the overall design limitations and possibilities. Among other benefits, aberrations provide excellent insight into tolerance sensitivity and manufacturability of the underlying design form. We explore multiple examples of how applying aberration theory to lens design can improve the entire lens design process. Example systems include simple UV, visible, and IR refractive lenses; much more complicated refractive systems requiring field curvature balance; and broadband zoom lenses.

Citation Download Citation

Julie L. Bentley, Craig Olson, and Richard N. Youngworth "In the era of global optimization, the understanding of aberrations remains the key to designing superior optical systems", Proc. SPIE 7849, Optical Design and Testing IV, 78490C (9 November 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.871720

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available