Easy-to-use software tools for teaching the basics, design and applications of optical components and systems

Abstract

, "Easy-to-use software tools for teaching the basics, design and applications of optical components and systems," Proc. SPIE 9793, Education and Training in Optics and Photonics: ETOP 2015, 97930N (8 October 2015) ABSTRACTGeometric optics is at the heart of optics teaching. Some of us may remember using pins and string to test the simple lens equation at school. Matters get more complex at undergraduate/postgraduate levels as we are introduced to paraxial rays, real rays, wavefronts, aberration theory and much more. Software is essential for the later stages, and the right software can profitably be used even at school. We present two free PC programs, which have been widely used in optics teaching, and have been further developed in close cooperation with lecturers/professors in order to address the current content of the curricula for optics, photonics and lasers in higher education.PreDesigner is a single thin lens modeller. It illustrates the simple lens law with construction rays and then allows the user to include field size and aperture. Sliders can be used to adjust key values with instant graphical feedback. This tool thus represents a helpful teaching medium for the visualization of basic interrelations in optics.WinLens3DBasic can model multiple thin or thick lenses with real glasses. It shows the system focii, principal planes, nodal points, gives paraxial ray trace values, details the Seidel aberrations, offers real ray tracing and many forms of analysis. It is simple to reverse lenses and model tilts and decenters. This tool therefore provides a good base for learning lens design fundamentals. Much work has been put into offering these features in ways that are easy to use, and offer opportunities to enhance the student's background understanding.

Simulation and visualization of fundamental optics phenomenon by LabVIEW

“…For example, use software to demonstrate propagation of electromagnetic waves through homogeneous media [2]. Using python to demonstrate diffraction phenomenon [3], or commercial software to do ray tracing optics [4] is the trend for teaching. Traditionally, LabVIEW is use for experiment automation, and several good instructor use it create very interesting experiment, such teaching Fresnel incoherent correlation holography [5] or undergraduate photonics experiment about computer controlled instrumentation and data acquisition [6].…”