Direct methods for freeform surface design

R. Andrew Hicks

doi:10.1117/12.731453

21 September 2007 Direct methods for freeform surface design

R. Andrew Hicks

Proceedings Volume 6668, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization X; 666802 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.731453
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Optical design in the 19th century was largely empirical, and today design in the geometric realm is often performed by optimizing a cost function which is defined via ray tracing. A natural question to ask then, is how to perform optical design using a more direct method, such as solving partial differential equations or variational problems. We consider the problem of writing down equations to model a single surface (mirror or lens) to completely control a single bundle of rays. When this is done, with high probability the solution surface will not be rotationally symmetric, but freeform. Although a bundle may not be completely controllable with a single surface, approximate solution can be sometimes have applications. In particular, we will show how to compute the shape of a driver-side mirror that has no blind-spot or distortion.

Citation Download Citation

R. Andrew Hicks "Direct methods for freeform surface design", Proc. SPIE 6668, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization X, 666802 (21 September 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.731453

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