The course explains the origin of the geometrical aberrations of optical systems, and assesses their importance for simple systems (lenses, mirrors, ...). It provides the tools for the characterization of aberrations, based on the optical path difference and the point spread function. The general methods of evaluation and compensation of aberrations are studied. The principles of optimization of optical systems are shown on an optical design software. Finally, the main experimental methods for the characterization of real optical systems are described.
At the end of this course, students are able to assess the quality of an optical system according to several criteria, and to design and optimize simple systems.

LECTURES

Methods for the evaluation of aberrations
Geometric approach
Wavefront and optical path difference
Diffractive approach:

Point spread function
Strehl ratio & Maréchal's criterion

Aberrations of centered optical systems
Expansions of the optical path difference: Zernike's and Seidel's polynomials
3rd order aberrations :

Spherical aberration, coma,
Astigmatism, Field curvature
Distortion

Geometrical aberrations of conventional systems
Simple optical lenses : diopters, mirrors, singlets
Complex optical lenses

Tools for advanced optical design
Modulation Transfer Function
Modeling and numerical optimization of optical systems
Defects in real systems: off-centering aberrations & tolerancing
Experimental methods for the characterization of optical systems


EXERCICE CLASSES

13 h in exercise classes: aberrations of simple systems, study of classical lenses, wavefront analysis, ...
14 h in computer classes with the optical design software OSLO & with MatLab : point spread function calculations, evaluation of aberrations, optimization, tolerancing ...

PROJECT
about 40h devoted to the study and optimization of a complex optical system

Last Modification : Thursday 4 September 2014