Transient optical simulation by coupling elastic multibody systems, finite elements, and ray tracing

Abstract

Transient dynamical–thermoelastic–optical system simulation is an important expansion of classical ray tracing through rigid, resting lenses because the operating performance of high-precision optical systems can be influenced by dynamical excitations or thermal gradients. In this paper an approach for an integrated optical system simulation using the coupling of elastic multibody system simulations, thermoelastic finite element analysis and gradient-index ray tracing is presented. Transient mechanical rigid body motions and elastic deformations, thermally induced refraction index changes, and thermal elastic deformations can be considered simultaneously in the ray tracing using the presented method. The calculation of the dynamical and thermal disturbances, the data transfer and coupling, and the gradient index ray tracing method are introduced. Finally, the approach is applied on a transient triplet lens optical system and some investigation results are shown.