How to design and tolerance with GRADIUM glass

Boyd V. Hunter; Bill Walters

doi:10.1117/12.321981

21 September 1998 How to design and tolerance with GRADIUM glass

Boyd V. Hunter, Bill Walters

Proceedings Volume 3482, International Optical Design Conference 1998; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.321981
Event: International Optical Design Conference, 1998, Kona, HI, United States

Abstract

Designing with axial-gradient materials can be a complicated task. The difficulties range from the speed of ray-tracing codes and the mechanics of specifying the material and appropriate variables to selecting the best gradient and orientation rom a set of fixed profiles. We propose a simple methodology for designing with axial-gradient glasses in modern ray-tracing codes. The first step is to determine locations where the gradient can be useful. This decision may be made by probing a design with aspheres or by analysis of the design to decide what needs to be corrected. The second step is to modify the design for appropriate base materials. GRADIUM^TM lenses act as correctors in the optical system and the first-order optical properties still must be controlled in the normal manner. The third step is to design the optimal gradient for the applications. While the designer will only have the option of designing the gradient for actual use in a very limited set of cases, understanding the shape of the ideal gradient will allow the designer to select the profile and orientation that most closely matches the ideal. Then the designers can work on best implementing the design and fine-tuning the design. Tolerancing and preparation of the GRADIUM lens print require only a few additional steps and understanding of how the material is fabricated. For example, the maximum profile thickness is nominal and may not correspond to the physical dimensions of a blank, such as when a blank is pre- thinned.

Citation Download Citation

Boyd V. Hunter and Bill Walters "How to design and tolerance with GRADIUM glass", Proc. SPIE 3482, International Optical Design Conference 1998, (21 September 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.321981

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