TABLE OF CONTENTS This chapter consists of about a dozen tasks that are quite typical of those faced by an optical engineer who must produce an optical system layout to solve some problem. The solutions to the problems presented here are fully worked out, with complete references to the applicable sections and to the equations which are necessary to produce the layout. A system layout is simply a specification of the component powers, diameters and their spacings which will produce the desired image (i.e., one with the desired size, location and orientation).
The diameters which we determine in this chapter are actually clear apertures. Of course the real diameters will need to be a bit larger to accomodate the necessary mounting shoulders.
The next step in designing an optical system, after the component powers and diameters have been worked out (as we do in this chapter), is to make a crude, reasonably representative, sketch of the system. We can draw singlet elements as equi-convex (or equi-concave), or as plano-convex (or plano-concave). If we assume an index of 1.50 and a zero thickness, then the radii for the equi-convex form will equal the focal length. If we assume an index of 1.75, then the radii will equal 1.5 times the focal length. For the plano-convex form, the radius will be half of these values. If an achromatic component will be necessary, we can assume BK7 (517642) and SF1 (717295) glasses, and the radii of the crown element will be 0.56 times the...
