Program traces rays of light through optical systems consisting of up to 65 different optical surfaces and computes the aberrations. For design purposes, paraxial tracings with astigmation and third order tracings are provided

Ferguson, T. J.

Konn, H.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1967	 Brief 67-10549 
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. 
Computer Program for Optical Systems Ray Tracing 
This program traces rays of light through optical 
systems consisting of up to 65 different optical sur-
faces and computes the aberrations. For design pur-
poses, paraxial tracings with astigmation and third 
order tracings are provided. The procedure accounts 
for various tilts of the surfaces with respect to the 
optical axis which are introduced either by design or 
by manufacturing tolerances. 
Five different types of optical surface are treated, 
and provision is made to test for each type. Also, the 
computations are carried out for three different values 
of the refractive index. Provision is made for introduc-
ing new surfaces, or variations of the original ones, 
into the system after the computations for the original 
have been made. The input of all variables is on cards. 
The basic coordinate system used is a right-handed 
cartesian system with the positive Z-axis directed 
along the optical axis, the Y-axis directed positive 
vertically, with the X-axis completing the right-handed 
system.
An option to run several types of systems at once is 
available, which gives the advantage of computing 
large numbers of experiments in only one pass on the 
computer. 
Notes: 
1. This program is written in Fortran IV for use on 
the GE 635 computer. 
2. Inquiries concerning this program may be made to: 
COSMIC 
Computer Center 
University of Georgia 
Athens, Georgia 30601 
Reference: B67-10549 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: Trindel J. Ferguson and Hermann Kohn 
Flight Research Center 
(FRC- 10017) 
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.
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Computer program for optical systems ray tracing

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