Abstract
The automated design of imaging systems involving no or minimal human effort has always been the expectation of scientists, researchers and optical engineers. In addition, it is challenging to choose an appropriate starting point for an optical system design. In this paper, we present a novel design framework based on a point-by-point design process that can automatically obtain high-performance freeform systems. This framework only requires a combination of planes as the input based on the configuration requirements or the prior knowledge of designers. This point-by-point design framework is different from the decades-long tradition of optimizing surface coefficients. Compared with the traditional design method, whereby the selection of the starting point and the optimization process are independent of each other and require extensive amount of human effort, there are no obvious differences between these two processes in our design framework, and the entire design process is mostly automated. This automated design process significantly reduces the amount of human effort required and does not rely on advanced design skills and experience. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed design framework, we successfully designed two high-performance systems as examples. This point-by-point design framework opens up new possibilities for automated optical design and can be used to develop automated optical design in the areas of remote sensing, telescopy, microscopy, spectroscopy, virtual reality and augmented reality.
Highlights
Optical design has been a topic of considerable importance in advancing how humans explore the unknown world
To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed design framework, we successfully designed two highperformance systems as examples. This point-by-point design framework opens up new possibilities for automated optical design and can be used to develop automated optical design in the areas of remote sensing, telescopy, microscopy, spectroscopy, virtual reality and augmented reality
To avoid the extensive amount of human effort needed to find starting points and the subsequent optimization process, we propose a novel design framework whereby automated freeform optical design is realized via a point-by-point design process that only requires a combination of planes as the input
Summary
Optical design has been a topic of considerable importance in advancing how humans explore the unknown world. With the rapid development in computer science and technologies, the general method for performing an optical design task is first to find a starting point originating from patents or other existing systems and to use computer-aided optimization. Because off-axis or other special configurations are increasingly being used, viable starting points for specific design forms are generally limited[1]. An extensive amount of human effort is needed to find proper starting points. When designing systems with advanced specifications and/or special system configurations, feasible starting points are rare or cannot be found. Configurations and number of elements of the starting points are far from the prescribed design, extensive optimization is essential. Designers may even fail to achieve a satisfactory solution
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
