Optikseminar

In this talk first the traditional concepts for simulating and optimizing optical systems are presented and discussed. The trend in using more complicated components and the need for more refined physical models to understand innovative systems is described. Also the impact of modern digital computational imaging approaches is mentioned. As a special example, the use of freeform surfaces is described in more detail. Freeform surfaces are a new and exciting opportunity in lens design. The technological boundary conditions for manufacturing surfaces with reduced or no symmetry are complicated and recently the progress in understanding and controlling this kind of components is ready for use in commercial products. This type of component with larger functionalities is needed to correct more compact systems with the desired quality. Nearly all procedures of a classical design development are changing, if these more generalized conditions are valid. The mathematical description of the surfaces, the optimization algorithms, the initial design approaches, the evaluation of performance over the field of view, the data transfer in the value chain of a typical production, the metrology for characterization of real surfaces and the return of the real surfaces into the simulation are affected. All these new aspects are discussed and the state of the art today as well as some views into the future are sketched.