Derivation of structural influence coefficients for plane-mirror optical systems

摘要

Abstract: Movement of an optical element from its nominal mounting position can result in shifts in the pointing direction and image orientation of an optical system. This movement can be either static (due to mounting misalignment), or dynamic (due to structural vibration). The structural influence coefficients map the translational and rotational motions of lenses, mirrors, prisms, and detectors to changes in line-of-sight direction and image orientation. Influence coefficients are used by the structural dynamicist to predict image jitter from structural finite-element models and by the mechanical designer to tolerance the element-support structure. A method for calculating the influence coefficients for plane-mirror systems is presented. The method includes a working definition of an influence coefficient, a general process for coefficient extraction, and an algorithmic approach to numerical calculations. The method described allows ready calculation of influence coefficients without tedious ray- trace perturbations or dedicated optical analysis software. !28