Who should attend: Engineers who need to learn optical design theory, principles, and the use of the ZEMAX Optical Design Program. This course covers first and third order theory, imaging properties, glass properties and selection, and classical design techniques.

Attendees will learn how to use ZEMAX, including defining optical systems, constructing merit functions, and performing optimizations. Diagnostic tools are also covered.

This is the perfect course for those who need a basic knowledge about optical system theory and design.

You do not need any prior knowledge of optical design or ZEMAX to benefit from this class.

This introductary course also includes a half-day session on Designing for Manufacture, taught by Eddie Judd of Davin Optronics. Eddie has many years' experience in the design and manufacture of optical systems.

First order optics

• Refraction and reflection
• Glass: definition and properties
• Image formation and ray tracing
• Stops, pupils, marginal and chief rays

Aberration theory

• Aberration descriptions
• Seidel coefficients
• Identifying aberrations
• Aberration balancing
• Chromatic aberrations

Use of ZEMAX

• How optical design programs model lenses
• The surface model
• Overview of the manual and help system
• The ZEMAX user interface
• Conventions and definitions
• Surface, field, wavelength, system data
• Apertures, F/#’s
• Use of solves and variables
• Surface apertures
• Co-ordinate transformations

ZEMAX diagnostic tools

• Ray fans and spot diagrams
• RMS and through-focus plots
• 2D, 3D, wireframe, and solid model layouts
• MTF plots
• Field curvature and distortion
• Diffraction effects
• Other diagnostic tools

Singlet design

• Defining the initial system
• Merit function construction
• Using optimization
• setting variables
• Boundary constraints

Designing achromats

• Controlling magnification, EFL, spacings
• Use of solves
• Correcting chromatic aberrations
• Glass selection and optimization

More complex systems

• Diffraction
• Double Gauss
• Collimation
• Spectrometers
• Relay lenses
• Beam expanders
• Designing with stock lenses
• Zoom lens design
• Tilted and decentered systems
• Scanning systems
• Afocal systems

Pupil Modelling

• Vignetting factors
• Apodization
• Ray aiming
  

Designing with mirrors

• Telescopes, fold mirrors
• Newtonian, Maksutov
• Off axis designs
  

Introduction to tolerancing

• Tolerance types
• Tolerance analysis
• Test plate fitting
  

Designing for Manufacture (this section taught by Eddie Judd of Davin Optronics)

• Manufacturing methods and limits of accuracy [How the manufacturing process and the lens shape control the limits of precision and the costs]
• Mounting of lenses [How the design of the mounting influences the precision of centration and spacing]
• Using the merit function to control manufacturability [Control of thickness, curvature, ray incidence angles, for example]
• Environmental Considerations [How vibration and atmosphere influence glass choice, spacing techniques, lens thickness etc.]
• Effects of the design on coating performance [Interaction of surface curvatures and ray incidence angles on the uniformity of coatings and their efficiencies]
• Desensitising techniques [Using the multi-configuration editor to reduce sensitivity to decentration errors, for example]
• Dimensioning of components [Reducing errors in manufacture by using round figure dimensions]
• Glass selection [Selection of glasses for optimum cost, design suitability and reducing risks of non-availability]
• Use of tool lists [Whether to work to a tool list or not!]
• Measurement and testing [Never forget that a lens has to be tested and measured throughout its manufacture]

 

Course Instructor

Neil Barrett is General Manager of Optima Research.

Leo Chen is Optical Engineer at Optima Research.

Eddie Judd is Former Technical Director of Davin Optronics.