Rigid Body Movements of Optical Elements due to Opto-Mechanical Factors

摘要

Techniques and formulas will be presented that demonstrate an effective means of characterizing the rigid body motions of optical elements from their nominal positions as caused by manufacturing tolerances and thermal effects. These techniques allow accurate prediction of the final position of a mechanically held lens element to be determined relative to mechanical datums. Even a single lens element with entirely nominal dimensions often needs to be positioned relative to a mechanical reference; the effects of any inherent inaccuracy of the mounting process can be over-looked and/or oversimplified. Tolerances on lens seats, element radii, bore diameters as well as thermal effects need to be accounted for in a design in order to accurately predict the final optical performance of a system in an "as built" condition. The differences in accounting for the mounting tolerances of edge mounted, cell mounted, and surface-centered elements are discussed. The work presented will aid in linking the tools available to the optical engineer in the form of optical design software, with the data available to the mechanical engineer in the form of manufacturing and fabrication tolerances.