Innovative optical design combining freeform optics and curved-freeform sensors

Abstract

Innovative optical designs combing freeform optics and curved freeform sensors will be key elements to improve the optical performance and reduce the overall manufacturing and testing pressure of optical complex systems. In this paper, three version of unobscured all-reflective TMA-type telescopes (D=10cm, FOV=7°×7°) will be designed separately with flat sensor, spherical sensor and freeform sensor. Then, we will analyze and compare their imaging quality (RMS spot radius) and surface complexity (PV sag departure and Max slop departure) to demonstrate the advantage of freeform sensor applied in the off-axis optical system. Finally, we make comparison on sensitivity analysis of surface error between mirror surfaces and freeform sensor surfaces to prove that the manufacturing pressure of the sensor did not increase even though its surface complexity increased. We expect that such a design has a great potential to be applied in the space weather monitoring and solar system planetary exploration drones.

Design of a freeform, wide field of view, high angular resolution four-mirrors system working in the visible and near-infrared spectrum

“…Indeed, freeform mirrors are known to improve significantly the performance of optical systems (for a given size of the system) 1 and curved sensors help to reduce the complexity in the freeform mirrors and ease the manufacturing and testing of the mirrors. 2…”