Computer program uses the principles of geometrical optics to design optical systems containing up to 100 planes, conic or polynomial aspheric surfaces, 7 object points, 6 colors, and 200 rays. This program can be used for the automatic design of optical systems or for the evaluation of existing optical systems

Firnett, P. J.

Schmidt, L. F.

Wilson, L. A.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

September 1968
	 Brief 68710354 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Fortran Optical Lens Design Program 
The problem: 
A need for optical systems which are optimal in 
performance, as measured by a merit function. The 
optical designs must be quickly produced. 
The solution: 
A computer program which uses the principles of 
geometrical optics to design optical systems contain-
ing up to 100 planes, conic or polynomial aspheric 
surfaces, 7 object points, 6 colors, and 200 rays. This 
program can be used for the automatic design of 
optical systems or for the evaluation of existing opti-
cal systems. 
How it's done: 
The program is made up of 48 subroutines. In the 
design phase, it uses a linearized least squares tech-
nique to iteratively reduce the magnitude of the merit 
function by automatically adjusting system param-
eters. The merit function is the length of the error 
vector, the components of which are the weighted 
deviations from the mean of ray coordinates at the 
image. 
Among the user selected options are: design compu-
tation, spot diagram computation, twin ray diagnostic 
maximum object, twin ray diagnostic zero object, and 
sensitivity computations. 
The user can also choose weights which are com-
bined with spot size to make up the merit function. 
These weights control the: (I) focal length deviation; 
(2) exit pupil deviation; (3) spot size for each object 
point; (4) spot size for each specified color; (5) spot 
diagram size in the x-direction; (6) spot diagram size 
in the y-direction: (7) lateral chromatic aberration for 
each object point: and (8) image height deviations for 
each object point.
The individual rays of the specified ray pattern are 
traced from the object points through the lens system 
to a point on the last lens surface by using a three-
step iterative procedure. The coordinates of each ray 
on each surface and the direction of each ray follow-
ing refraction (which here includes reflection as a 
special case) are found at each surface from the coor-
dinates and direction of the ray at the preceding sur-
face. Focal point, focal length, back focus, f number, 
and exit pupil location are found for every color. The 
pattern of points resulting from the initial ray pattern 
describes on the image a monochromatic spot which 
can be plotted out. 
Notes: 
I. This program was written in Fortran IV for use on 
the IBM 7094 computer with SC 4020 plotter. 
2. Any number of cases can be processed in a single 
computer run. 
3. Inquiries concerning this program may be made to: 
COSMIC 
Computer Center 
University of Georgia 
Athens, Georgia 30601 
Reference: B68-10354 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: L. F. Schmidt 
o	 of Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
and Paul J. Firnett and Leslie A. Wilson 
of Informatics, Incorporated 
under contract to 
NASA Pasadena Office 
(N P0-10603) 
Category 06 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19680000354 2020-03-12T05:54:37+00:00Z


FORTRAN optical lens design program

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