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Non-Sequential Physical Optics in Telescopes and Offner Systems
In our previous newsletter we demonstrated the ghost-image effect caused by the undesired reflection between surfaces in a collimation system. In contrast to that situation, some optical systems are designed to take advantage of the multiple pass between surfaces. We present here two such examples: a Herrig telescope and an Offner system. With the help of the non-sequential field tracing, this kind of systems can be modeled and analyzed easily and fast.
Herrig Schiefspiegler Telescope
A Herrig Schiefspiegler telescope with two mirrors, but with four reflections in a double-pass configuration, is modeled with the non-sequential ray- and field-tracing techniques in VirtualLab.
Analysis of an Offner System with Non-Sequential Field Tracing
An Offner system that consists of two concentric spherical mirrors is built up and its imaging properties investigated using non-sequential field tracing in VirtualLab.
Simulation of Interference Fringes in Collimation Systems
In optical design, it is important to take undesired effects into consideration properly. For example, ghost images due to e.g. reflections from uncoated surfaces may take place in every optical setup, and the influence on the system performance should be examined. With the recently released non-sequential extension, VirtualLab can be used to analyze effects like the aforementioned ghost images conveniently. Via the flexible configuration of the channels for the individual surfaces, as well as of other numerical parameters, the simulation of the system in hand can be adjusted for the analysis of various situations, and to varying degrees of accuracy.
Investigation of Ghost-Image Effects in Collimation Systems
In any optical system there is always stray light which causes ghost images. Stray light may have different origins, such as undesired reflections and scattering. A collimation lens system for high-NA laser diodes is taken as an example. Reflections between uncoated surfaces are studied with the non-sequential tracing technique in VirtualLab, which that the multiple reflections may cause interference fringes in the collimated beam.
Non-Sequential Configuration: How to Use Simulation Settings for Ray and Field Tracing
VirtualLab can be used to perform ray as well as field tracing. The control of numerical simulations is typically handled through the specification of various parameters. In VirtualLab these often come in the form of accuracy factors. This document explains the usage of the provided accuracy factors to control the ray and field tracing engine within VirtualLab with the focus on the setting of non-sequential simulation.
Non-Sequential Modeling of Optical Etalon
With the recently released non-sequential extension, VirtualLab enables flexible system modeling in both sequential and non-sequential way, for both ray tracing and field tracing. For a given system, thanks to the channel concept, one can easily switch between sequential and non-sequential mode.
To demonstrate it, we present examples on optical etalon. The simple structure of an etalon forms a resonator, and the interference due to multiple reflections governs its optical response and functionality.
Modeling of Etalon with Planar and Curved Surfaces
By using the non-sequential field tracing technique, several configurations of etalons, e.g. with non-parallel surfaces and curved surfaces, are analyzed.
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System Analysis with Sequential and Non-Sequential Field Tracing
VirtualLab enables the user to build up an optical system once and analyze it with different tracing techniques. This use case demonstrates how the non-sequential analysis of your setup can be performed.
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