Learn about optical payloads and space optical remote sensing, the heart of space missions with Avantier’s custom high-performance optics.
Learn about optical payloads and space optical remote sensing, the heart of space missions with Avantier’s custom high-performance optics.
Discover optical domes’ applications and design considerations and what makes them ideal for imaging systems in challenging situations.
Explore optical system design optimization for fixed-focus lenses and objectives, including structural adjustments and tolerance analysis.
Key Takeaways: Top engineers go above and beyond in optical system design optimization. For successful production, consider: Manufacturability: Design for high yield by analyzing tolerances and by using easy-to-process components. Material Selection: Choose cost-effective materials with short processing times that suit your application. Testing and Assembly: Design for active adjustment, testing, and smooth integration with the mechanical structure. Software Tools for Optical Design Optical design refers to the design process of optical components and optical systems using optical principles and technologies. Optical design has a long history, and in recent years, due to the development of design software, optical design work has become simpler and more practical. For some relatively simple system requirements, we can choose the appropriate initial structure through the setting of system parameters and evaluation parameters. This allows us to get the design result more easily. Commonly used optical design software, such as Zemax, provides a very convenient way to evaluate the performance of optical systems, such as Modulation Transfer Function, wavefront difference, spot size, etc. A qualified optical system needs to have the design performance to meet user requirements. However, the satisfaction of design performance is only the first step of optical design. The evaluation of an optical system should be multi-faceted. Optical System Design Optimization Steps According to the preliminary design completed by the customer, we can evaluate different aspects, optimize the design in terms of optical system design optimization, or make optimization suggestions. In general, in addition to design performance, we also look at the following aspects: 1. Simulation of qualified rate Because the components used in the design are perfect and without defects, the impact of assembly is not considered. Therefore, it is very likely that the design performance of the system is very good. However, the processed product may not meet the requirements. The simulation of qualification rate is an important part of the design process, especially for complex products with high requirements. The simulation of pass rate is the tolerance analysis of optical systems. Tolerance analysis can objectively evaluate the pass rate of the optical system in the production process and judge the risk of processing production. For the design with poor tolerance analysis results, the aberration of the sensitive element should be reduced, and the deflection angle of the light should be reduced. The sensitive element may even need to be replaced. A good optical design must be a design that can be put into production, and the impact of components and tolerances should be minimized. 2. Processing of optical components The optical system is composed of optical components. The difficulty of component processing directly impacts the processing cycle and pass rate of the optical system. It can even affect the progress of the project. If the designed component cannot be processed, it should be re-optimized. At the same time, in the design process, the number of lenses that are difficult to process and that have a low pass rate should be minimized. For optical systems that need to be actively adjusted, designers should also consider whether the shape of the component will affect the assembly process. 3. Selection of materials The choice of materials is an important part of the design process. While the optical design software can automatically find optical materials, the designer must still assess if these materials are suitable from various perspectives. Choosing cheaper and shorter processing cycle materials is advisable. Otherwise, finding materials may be challenging, increasing the risk of a lengthy system processing cycle. The hardness and chemical stability of optical materials impact processing difficulty. Consequently, they influence the cycle and pass rate of lens processing. The selection of materials should align with the application scenario. This poses a challenge to the designer’s project experience. 4. Active adjusting and testing The production and verification of optical systems involves active adjusting and performance testing. If you do not consider how to adjust and test during the design process, the adjustment and test will lose the basis. Before the optical design is carried out, the processing technology and test content of the actual product should be considered. According to the selected process and test conditions, the optical system is optimized during the design. 5. Whether it matches the structural design Before the optical system is put into production, it is necessary to carry out structural design, that is, to complete the mechanical design of the optical system. The optical designer should maintain adequate communication with the mechanical design engineer during the design process. If the initial optical design is difficult for the structural design, it should be improved accordingly. Key factors of optical system design optimization In conclusion, optimizing an optical system design goes beyond achieving theoretical performance. A successful design considers manufacturability, material selection, ease of assembly and testing, and compatibility with the final structure. By incorporating these aspects from the beginning, designers can create optical systems that are not only functional but also feasible and cost-effective to produce. We’d be happy to discuss your project! Contact us to schedule a consultation or request for a quote. Related Content
Optical Design for Manufacturing optimizes your optical components and assemblies for efficient production.
Key Takeaways The small objective lenses in medical optical systems offers higher resolution and an optimized design, enhancing the overall performance of the optical system. The project aims to minimize the optical system’s volume while ensuring high performance through advanced design and material selection. Avantier’s lens, less than 3mm in diameter with a working distance over 25mm, provides superior imaging quality and resolution. This innovative lens design significantly advances dental healthcare diagnostics and research, contributing to improvements in oral science. Small Objective Lenses in Medical Optical Systems The small microscope objective lens is widely used in medical optical systems, particularly in oral cavity examinations, dentistry examinations, and dental nerve diagnostics. With a smaller size, higher resolution, and an intelligent AI-assisted system, it provides powerful tools to help healthcare professionals gain a more comprehensive understanding of oral health conditions. The application of these small objective lenses in the field of dentistry highlights its importance in improving image resolution, in achieving precise diagnostics, and in advancing research in oral medicine. By offering advanced visual tools to doctors and researchers, this lens has made outstanding contributions to oral healthcare and oral science. Project overview Currently, most intramural scanner system brands require you to use specific scanning strategies or workflows to ensure optimal data collection. However, this project aims not only to utilize a higher resolution small objective lens but also to reduce the overall volume of the optical system, providing ample space for the AI-driven three-dimensional model. In the end, Avantier’s small objective lens has a diameter of less than 3mm, an overall length of less than 10mm, and a larger working distance of more than 25mm. Reducing the overall volume without compromising performance requires a careful balance of various factors. Avantier strives to reduce overall volume while carefully balancing various factors in order to ensure that performance is not compromised. By employing advanced optical design and material selection and byoptimizing component layout and density, the minimization of volume can be effectively achieved. Simultaneously, the use of lightweight materials and highly integrated components enhances system efficiency and performance. In this process, engineers must meticulously consider the functionality and interrelationships of each element to ensure that the reduction in volume does not adversely affect the overall performance and stability of the equipment. By leveraging innovative technologies and design strategies, it is possible to maintain exceptionally high optical performance even in compact volumes. Optimized Design: Utilize advanced design tools and techniques to ensure that each component of the system is arranged and designed in the most efficient manner. Consider using lightweight materials and structures while ensuring strength and stability. Component Integration: Integrate multiple components, especially optical and electronic elements, to reduce the overall volume. Carefully designed integration can minimize gaps between components and enhance system efficiency. Performance Optimization: Emphasize maximizing performance in system design, enabling a more efficient use of space and an overall reduction in volume. This may involve optimizing the utilization of optical components, sensors, and other critical elements. Small Objective Lenses Performance Through our carefully optimized design, our small objective lenses exhibit significant advantages compared to leading companies worldwide. Firstly, we have successfully achieved the goal of reducing overall volume without compromising performance, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of our lens in the market. By incorporating more integrated components, we have effectively decreased the overall size and weight, freeing up substantial space for customers to integrate additional functionalities. Secondly, we have meticulously optimized the optical system configuration and have utilized higher-quality lens materials to enhance imaging quality and resolution. The small objective lenses offer a larger field of view, higher resolution, and an extended working distance, providing users with an outstanding observational experience. This not only elevates the expertise of our design and manufacturing teams, but this also delivers a more reliable tool for customers in the medical field, especially those with high demand for small objective lenses. Specification Wavelength range Visible Light Diameter <3mm Working Distance <25mm Field of View 25mm x 25mm Image Quality @ Visible Light MTF >45% with 9 mm-1 Ronchi in object space MTF >80% with 3 mm-1 Ronchi in object space Conclusion In this project, Avantier’s small microscope objective lens has demonstrated outstanding performance in medical optical systems. Through carefully optimized design, we have successfully reduced the overall volume of the lens while maintaining high performance, providing additional space for the integration of an intelligent AI-assisted system. Widely applied in fields such as dentistry, this innovative design enhances image resolution, enables precise diagnostics, and advances research in oral medicine. Avantier’s design not only achieves significant technological breakthroughs but also makes remarkable contributions to innovation in dental healthcare and oral science. Related Content
Key Takeaways The 25X objective lens in mass spectrometers ensures high resolution and excellent imaging quality in both high and low temperature conditions, significantly benefiting materials science research. Its enhanced magnification allows precise observation and analysis, crucial for fields like earth science, environmental science, and metallurgy. The lens’s advanced design reduces production costs while maintaining superior performance, making it highly competitive in the market. Optimized for extreme environments, the lens meets stringent adhesion and sealing standards, ensuring long-term stability and reliability in various scientific applications. Versatile Applications and Impact of the 25X Objective Lens The 25X objective lens is used in Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS) systems and significantly impact diverse fields such as earth science, environmental science, metallurgy, semiconductors, and materials science. Its enhanced magnification enables more precise observation and analysis of microscopic samples, offering researchers extensive opportunities for detailed exploration. This 25x objective lens is used in a lot of domains, underscoring its importance in refining resolution, in accurate detection, and in the advancement of the comprehension of material properties. This lens proves to be indispensable in contributing to both scientific research and technological progress. Project Overview This custom designed 25X objective lens, used for the mass spectrometer system, is well-suited for instruments dedicated to the research of the separation and detection of various isotopes. Operating on the principle of charged particles being deflected in an electromagnetic field, the lens facilitates the separation and detection of substances based on differences in the mass of material atoms, molecules, or molecular fragments. This capability enables a detailed analysis of the composition of substances, which contribute to advancements in understanding the mass spectrometer of different isotopes. Polychromatic Diffraction MTF Ensuring high resolution in both high and low temperature environments Ensuring high resolution in both high and low temperature environments is crucial for this project, especially with special requirements for adhesion and for the bonding process, directly impacting the sealing and dust-free within the objective lens. This imposes stringent requirements on our equipment. In high temperature environments, materials must resist heat expansion and maintain structural integrity. Advanced cooling systems and thermal insulation are typically employed to stabilize the equipment. In low temperature environments, the prevention of freezing of instrument components and the ensuring of consistent performance are paramount. Material insulation and effective temperature control mechanisms are utilized to prevent temperature induced deformations. The entire adhesion and sealing process adheres to high standards to ensure stable equipment operation in extreme temperature conditions. Adhesive Selection: Selecting suitable adhesives is critical for high and low temperature environments. In high temperatures, adhesives need excellent heat resistance, resistance to expansion, and minimal decomposition. In low temperatures, adhesives should possess good flexibility and resistance to becoming brittle, ensuring adhesion is maintained even in extremely cold conditions. Bonding Process: The bonding process requires precise control to ensure uniform adhesive application and reliable sealing. In high temperature environments, attention must be given to adhesive flow characteristics and curing time to prevent uneven application or loss during the process. In low temperature environments, it’s essential to ensure that adhesive coating and adhesion properties are not affected by temperature variations. Sealing Integrity: Sealing integrity during the bonding process is crucial, especially in high and low temperature conditions. Sealing not only affects equipment performance but also prevents external particles and dust from entering the system, ensuring long-term stability. Dust-Free Requirements: The bonding process needs to be conducted in a dust-free environment to prevent dust and particles from entering the adhesive coating, affecting the sealing effectiveness. This may require work to be conducted in a clean or similar environment, so there is the need to implement appropriate measures to ensure workplace cleanliness. Lens Performance Through our meticulously optimized design, our product exhibits significant advantages over objective lenses from word leading companies. Firstly, we have successfully reduced production costs, enhancing the competitiveness of our lenses in the market. By employing intelligent design processes and efficient manufacturing technologies, we have streamlined production costs, providing customers with a more cost-effective choice. Secondly, we focus on elevating imaging quality by optimizing optical configurations and by utilizing high-quality lens materials. Our lenses deliver clearer and more authentic image reproduction, which enhancs users’ observational experiences and practicality in the fields of materials science and molecular research. High Resolution: Avantier employs advanced technological approaches, utilizing precise manufacturing processes and optimized optical components to achieve higher resolution levels. This ensures our lenses can accurately depict microscopic structures and details, offering a reliable tool for materials science and molecular research. Manufacturing Processes: Avantier has further optimized product assembly processes, particularly in specialized sealing, adhesive application, and meeting high dust-free requirements. This results in our company’s products boasting higher resolution, a larger field of view, and an extended working distance in both high and low temperature environments, thus catering to the demanding needs of materials science and molecular research. Conclusion The 25X objective lens significantly enhances mass spectrometer applications in earth science, environmental science, metallurgy, semiconductors, and materials science. With an optimized design, it ensures high resolution in diverse temperatures while meeting stringent adhesion and sealing standards. Outperforming competitors, our lens not only reduces costs but also elevates imaging quality, so it excels in materials science and molecular research. Its indispensable role makes it a valuable asset for scientific advancements. Additionally, the incorporation of features like a large NA(numerical aperture), a long working distance, a high resolution, and a wider FOV(field of view) enhances the lens’s overall performance in meeting the demands of modern research and technology. Related Content
Large Optical Prisms are crucial in scientific research, demanding a manufacturing process that is highly precise.
Key Takeaways Fresnel Lens Basics: Thin and lightweight lenses with concentric grooves in plastic or glass, named after physicist Augustin Jean Fresnel. Applications: Used in various applications, including computer-controlled systems, traffic lights, and scenarios requiring manipulation of light beams. Design Advantage: Divided into concentric annular sections for large apertures with short focal lengths, minimizing material compared to conventional lenses. Imaging Trade-off: While offering a thin profile, they sacrifice imaging quality, making them suitable for applications where precise imaging is not crucial. Fresnel lenses, named after the French physicist Augustin Jean Fresnel, consist of a series of concentric grooves etched into plastic or glass. Their thin and lightweight construction, available in various sizes, and excellent light-gathering ability make them useful in a variety of applications, including computer-controlled systems. These lenses are often employed in light-gathering applications, such as condenser systems, emitter/detector setups, magnifiers, and projection lenses in illumination systems and imaging applications. A Fresnel lens, whether made of plastic or glass, is a type of composite compact lens designed to reduce the amount of material required compared to a conventional lens. The design divides the lens into a set of concentric annular sections, allowing for the construction of lenses with large apertures and short focal lengths without the mass and volume of material associated with a conventional lens. Some Fresnel lenses can take the form of a flat sheet, especially when made of plastic. Figure 1. Frensel Lens Figure 2. Thickness of Lenses While Fresnel lenses share the same curvature as a conventional lens, they feature threads of different sizes engraved on one side. The advantage of using a Fresnel lens is its thin profile and lightweight construction, making it suitable for various applications. However, employing a Fresnel lens entails a trade-off; while it can be made multi-threaded for clearer images, the ability to focus light on one point becomes challenging, and the curvature may not always be accurate. Fresnel lenses, whether crafted from plastic or glass, offer advantages such as their thin and lightweight construction, availability in small and large sizes, and excellent light-gathering ability. These lenses find applications in traffic lights, computer-controlled systems, and other scenarios requiring the manipulation of a beam of light. The thin profile of Fresnel lenses allows them to focus light similarly to a traditional optical lens while being suitable for smaller-scale applications compared to many conventional lenses. In terms of imaging quality, Fresnel lenses provide a substantial reduction in thickness, mass, and volume of material at the expense of imaging quality. Precise imaging applications, such as photography, often still prefer larger conventional lenses. The ability of Fresnel lenses to focus light makes them beneficial in scenarios where precise imaging is not paramount. Whether made of plastic or glass, these lenses play a crucial role in various optical applications, combining the advantages of their innovative design with optical quality glass. In conclusion, Fresnel lenses demonstrate notable efficiency in specific applications while presenting trade-offs in others. The thin and lightweight construction, availability in various sizes, and excellent light-gathering ability make them efficient in scenarios such as traffic lights, computer-controlled systems, and other applications where the manipulation of a beam of light is crucial. Their design, dividing the lens into concentric annular sections, allows for large apertures and short focal lengths without the bulk associated with conventional lenses. At Avantier we create custom optics for clients in a wide range of fields, from medicine and defense to research to industry. Whether you need a plastic Fresnel lens for a consumer application, a glass Fresnel lens for cutting edge research, or any other lens or optical component, we have you covered. Contact us today to place a custom order or schedule your introductory consultation. Related Content
Discover the innovative F-theta lens design with a forward compensating element for expanded field of view in this article