Optical Design Fundamentals for Infrared Systems

In this second edition, author Max Riedl has expanded and updated the information found in his popular 1995 tutorial to reflect changes in technology and applications that have occurred in the past decade. Achromats are covered in more detail and the discussion of beam expanders has been updated. Ball lens, gradient optics, and three mirror configurations have been added to the chapter on Special Optical Surfaces and Components. A new section discusses wave aberrations, with a comparison of the spherical aberration to the Seidel coefficient. A new chapter on thermal effects examines the design of athermats--lenses that compensate for undesired results caused by temperature excursions. A new chapter covers diamond turning, which is especially suitable for producing aspheres and diffractive infrared elements.

Contents

- Preface
- Historic Remarks
- Radiometric Considerations
- Basic Optics
- Primary Aberrations
- Wave Aberrations
- Special Optical Surfaces and Components
- Design Examples
- Thermal Effects
- Optical Coatings
- Image Evaluation
- Diamond Turning
- Appendix
- Index

Max J. Riedl has worked in the field of mathematical and optical instruments for decades and holds numerous patents for mechanical, optical, and electro-optical devices. A native of Germany, Riedl held technical and business leadership positions during the 45 years he lived in the United States. He teaches short courses and has published many papers on fundamental lens design, replicating optical elements, and diamond turning diffractive optical components for applications in the infrared spectrum. He currently resides in Bavaria, Germany, and is a fellow of SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering.