Finite Element Analysis of Optics

Level: Intermediate Length: 7 hours Format: In-Person Lecture Intended Audience: This course is intended for mechanical engineers interested in learning about the application of finite element analysis in the mechanical design of optical systems. An interest in optomechanical engineering and/or familiarity with finite element software is recommended. Description: This course presents the use of finite element methods to model and predict the behavior of optical elements and support structures including lenses, mirrors, windows, and optical mounts in the presence of mechanical and environmental loads. Students will learn general FEA modeling strategies and guidelines specific to optical systems including how to develop low-fidelity models to quickly perform optomechanical design tradeoffs as well as the creation of high-fidelity models to support detailed design. Emphasized will be the application of FEA techniques to meet optical system error budget allocations including mounting tolerances, alignment errors, optical surface distortions, image stability, and wavefront error. In addition, use of FEA to ensure structural integrity requirements including yield, buckling, and fracture will be discussed. Learning Outcomes: This course will enable you to: - develop optical component and system level finite element models - model conventional and lightweight mirrors including evaluating the impact of optical coatings - analyze optical mounts including kinematic, flexure, and optical bond designs - predict optical alignment errors due to mechanical, assembly, and environmental loads - perform optical surface error analyses using Zernike polynomials - predict optical system image motion due to thermal and dynamic environments - evaluate the effects of temperature and stress on optical performance Instructor(s): Keith B. Doyle has over 25-years experience in the field of optomechanical engineering developing high-performance imaging systems for aerospace applications. He is a co-author of the book titled Integrated Optomechanical Analysis, has authored or co-authored over 40-publications in the field, is a Fellow of SPIE, and the recipient of the 2015 SPIE Technology Achievement award. He is currently employed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory as a Group Leader in the Engineering Division. Previously he served as Vice President of Sigmadyne Inc. and as a Senior Systems Engineer at Optical Research Associates. He received his Ph.D. in engineering mechanics with a minor in optical sciences from the University of Arizona. Victor L. Genberg has over 40-years experience in the application of finite element methods to high-performance optical structures and is a recognized expert in opto-mechanics. He is currently President of Sigmadyne, Inc. and a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Rochestor where he teaches courses in optomechanics, finite element analysis, and design optimization. He is the co-author of the book titled Integrated Optomechanical Analysis has over 40 publications in this field including two chapters in the CRC Handbook of Optomechanical Engineering. Prior to founding Sigmadyne, Dr. Genberg spent 28-years at Eastman Kodak serving as a technical specialist for military and commercial optical systems. Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation 2018 Course Held: 12 June 2018