Optical System Design

Reference: Robert E. Fischer, Biljana Tadic-Galeb, and Paul R. Yoder, Optical System Design, second edition.

Use this reference to connect an optical prescription with instrument requirements: imaging, illumination, detectors, packaging, and verification.

Start with measurable requirements

Record object conjugate, field, spectrum, aperture, working distance, detector sampling, and required signal or contrast. Express acceptance criteria in quantities that can be calculated and measured.

Keep the optical resolution requirement separate from detector sampling:

\[\nu_{\mathrm{Nyquist}}=\frac{1}{2p},\]

where \(p\) is pixel pitch. State whether frequency is specified in object or image space.

Build an error budget

For independent, small, approximately linear contributors,

\[\sigma_P^2 \simeq \sum_i \left(\frac{\partial P}{\partial x_i}\sigma_i\right)^2.\]

Correlated errors, clipping, nonlinear compensators, and asymmetric yield limits require a fuller model or Monte Carlo analysis.

Review requirements, establish a first-order model, evaluate field and wavelength dependence, identify compensators, then define acceptance tests.