PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | August 24, 2009
Proc. SPIE. 7429, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XII
KEYWORDS: Chromatic aberrations, Diffraction, Refractive index, Optical design, Genetic algorithms, Diffractive optical elements, Glasses, Lens design, Refraction, Optimization (mathematics)
This paper proposes a new method for optimization optics with a diffractive optical element (DOE) via a Hybrid
Taguchi Genetic Algorithm. A Diffractive Optical Element, based the theory of wave phase difference, takes advantage
of the negative Abbe number which might significantly eliminate the axial chromatic aberrations of optics. Following
the advanced technology applied to the micro lens and etching process, precisely-made micro DOEs can now be
manufactured in large numbers. However, traditional least damping square has its limitations for the optimization of
axial and chromatic aberrations with DOE. In this research, we adopted the genetic algorithm (GA) and incorporated the
steady Taguchi method into GA. Combining the two methods produced a new hybrid Taguchi-genetic algorithm
(HTGA). Suitable glass combinations and DOE positions were selected to minimize both axial and lateral chromatic
aberration in the optical system. This new method carries out the task of eliminating both axial and lateral chromatic
aberration, unlike DOE optimization by LDS, which works for axial aberration only and with less efficiency. Experiments show that the surface position of the DOE could be determined first; in addition, regardless of whether chromatic aberration was axial or longitudinal, issues concerning the optical lens's chromatic aberration could be significantly reduced, compared to results from the traditional least damping square (LDS) method.
