Sensitivity comparison of a NURBS freeform telescope

Derek Kopon; Jenna Montague; Brian Primeau; Plamen Krastev; Gregory Cappiello; James Johnson

doi:10.1117/12.2677577

28 September 2023 Sensitivity comparison of a NURBS freeform telescope

Derek Kopon, Jenna Montague, Brian Primeau, Plamen Krastev, Gregory Cappiello, James Johnson

Proceedings Volume 12669, Optomechanical Engineering 2023; 126690C (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2677577
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2023, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We compare the optical performance, alignment sensitivity, and thermal stability of a Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) freeform telescope design to two more conventional design forms with the goal of facilitating acceptance of this new optical surface for aerospace applications. We present the designs of three three-mirror anastigmat (TMA) wide field (4°) telescopes with identical first order optical design parameters. These TMAs consist of a conventional design using off-axis aspheric mirrors, a freeform design using off-axis Zernike polynomial surfaces, and a freeform design using NURBS surfaces. Of the three, the NURBS design gives the best image quality and lowest geometrical design residual. The three designs have similar misalignment sensitivities and sensitivity to thermal soaks, countering a common misconception that freeform designs are more sensitive to misalignment than conventional designs.

Conference Presentation

(2023) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Derek Kopon, Jenna Montague, Brian Primeau, Plamen Krastev, Gregory Cappiello, and James Johnson "Sensitivity comparison of a NURBS freeform telescope", Proc. SPIE 12669, Optomechanical Engineering 2023, 126690C (28 September 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2677577

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