Common optical systems include cameras, microscopes, and telescopes. This tutorial provides an overview of the lenses that form different types of optical systems. The tutorial will begin with a review of geometrical optics and basic optical system design. Optical concepts such as focal length, index of refraction, dispersion, optical axis, resolution, and aberrations will be explained. No previous background in optics is required and the course is intended to provide an overview of optical systems at a very basic level. The target audience for this tutorial is intended to be practicing engineers from other disciplines interested in learning about optics. Only knowledge of basic physics will be assumed.
Members/Non-Members/Students: $249/$299/$79 before April 30
First Order Layout and Optical Systems
Monday, May 16, 1:00 – 5:00 pm (4 hours)
This short course begins with a review of fundamental first-order geometrical optical concepts such as optical path, Snell’s law, focal length, magnification, cardinal points, pupils, and paraxial ray tracing. The first-order concepts are then applied to the design and thin-lens layout of a wide variety of optical systems/instruments ranging from the eye to magnifiers, telescopes, microscopes, camera objectives, eyepieces, relay lenses, and illumination systems. Members/Non-Members/Students: $249/$299/$79 before April 30
Introduction to Lens Design
Tuesday, May 17, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (8 hours)
Have you ever needed to specify, design, or analyze a lens system and wondered how to do it or where to start? Would you like a better understanding of the terminology used by lens designers? Are you interested in learning techniques to better utilize your optical design software? Have you always wanted to know what the difference is between spherical aberration and coma or where those crazy optical tolerances come from? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, this course is for you! This full day course begins with a review of basic optics, including paraxial optics, system layout, and lens performance criteria. A discussion of how different system specifications influence the choice of design form, achievable performance, and cost will be presented. Third-order aberration theory, stop shift theory, and induced aberrations are examined in detail. Factors that affect aberrations and the principles of aberration correction are discussed. Demonstrations of computer aided lens design are given accompanied by a discussion of optimization theory, variables and constraints, and local vs. global optimization. Techniques for improving an optical design are illustrated with easy-to-understand examples. The optical fabrication and tolerancing process is explored including an example comparison between a simple copier lens and a complex lithography lens (used to print computer circuit boards) to help explain why some optical designs require precision mechanics and precision assembly and some do not.
Members/Non-Members/Students: $519/$569/$149 before April 30
Have you ever wondered why refractive, reflective, and zoomed optical systems look the way that they do? This course begins with a brief review of paraxial optics, third-order aberration theory, and computer aided optimization. A survey of refractive optical design forms from the landscape lens to the double gauss lens is given. Telephoto and retrofocus lenses, Petzval and microscope objectives, and wide-angle lenses are discussed. Zoom lens principles and first order layout are presented in detail with easy-to-understand examples. Visible band color correction techniques and UV and IR design constraints are discussed. This full day course also examines the basics of reflective optical system design including refractive design analogies, advantages and disadvantages of reflective systems, obscured vs. unobscured design forms. Reflective systems ranging from the Cassegrain to the reflective triplet to three and four mirror anastigmats are presented.
Members/Non-Members/Students: $519/$569/$149 before April 30