Challenges of designing a zoom lens for planetarium projection

D. Doering; T. Milde; M. Hanft

doi:10.1117/12.2188548

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3 September 2015 Challenges of designing a zoom lens for planetarium projection

D. Doering; T. Milde; M. Hanft

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Proceedings Volume 9580, Zoom Lenses V; 958002 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2188548
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The optical design of zoom lenses for projection applications is a task which has to take many different aspects into consideration. The optical designer has to achieve a demanding specification with respect to monochromatic and polychromatic aberrations across a significant magnification range. Besides the requirements on image quality there are usually numerous constraints deriving from fixed mechanical interfaces that already have an impact in the very early design stages of the paraxial and monochromatic design. It has been proven essential to also include cost targets in the figure of merit during the design work. This paper will outline a systematic process for projection zoom lenses design. A solid specification of the design task in terms of magnification range, image quality therein, mechanical and cost requirements is necessary as starting point. Paraxial considerations are helpful to gain insight into the design problem and choose the appropriate zoom design type for further design work. Intermediate designs, which are only monochromatically corrected, proofed invaluable while considering mechanical design requirements. As soon the basic design requirements are fulfilled it makes sense to correct chromatic aberrations. Outstanding color correction requires extensive use of expensive glasses for secondary color correction. In order to find an ideal compromise between potential cost of an optical design and image quality achieved therewith, we employ tools to identify cost drivers as well as tools to simulate the perceived imaging performance. Together these tools also enable us to efficiently discuss specifications that drive cost without aiding perceived image quality.

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D. Doering, T. Milde, and M. Hanft "Challenges of designing a zoom lens for planetarium projection", Proc. SPIE 9580, Zoom Lenses V, 958002 (3 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2188548

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