Small-computer program for optical design and analysis written in "C"

Leo H. J. F. Beckmann

doi:10.1117/12.47940

1 January 1991 Small-computer program for optical design and analysis written in "C"

Leo H. J. F. Beckmann

Proceedings Volume 1354, 1990 Intl Lens Design Conf; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.47940
Event: 1990 International Lens Design Conference, 1990, Monterey, CA, United States

Abstract

The use of electronic computers in optical design and analysis is well established. In fact, optical calculations were among the first applications of the first computers that were built in the 40's, and Donald Feder, starting in 1951 [1], proved that the use of these machines went far beyond removing the tediousness of laborious calculations and offered new dimensions in understanding the actual design process [2]. By today's standards, of course, the equipment which had such a remarkable impact at its time, was primitive and slow. A modern inexpensive programmable calculator easily outperforms the any computers in both speed and memory capacity, not to mention accuracy and reliability. This also implies, that today, even computers at the low end of the cost and performance scale can be turned into remarkably powerful tools for optical design and analysis. This has been demonstrated for the class of programmable calculators [3] but applies, of course, even more convincingly to the present generation of low-cost personal computers, which are typically based on 16- or 32-bit processors, and where prices start well below $ 1000.-. Any degree of higher performance is available at steadily increased prices, so that there appears to be a fit for each requirement.

Citation Download Citation

Leo H. J. F. Beckmann "Small-computer program for optical design and analysis written in "C"", Proc. SPIE 1354, 1990 Intl Lens Design Conf, (1 January 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.47940

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available