Design of Experiments (DOE) in Optics and Photonics

Level: Introductory Length: 7 hours Format: In-Person Lecture Intended Audience: Scientists, students, engineers, technicians, and managers who wish to learn more about DOE in the optics and photonics industries. Description: This course equips participants with the skills needed to excel in Design of Experiments (DOE) in Optics and Photonics. As technologies and applications evolve rapidly, there is a growing need for advanced methodologies to optimize design processes effectively. DOE is a powerful tool that addresses these needs by systematically identifying the best settings (input parameters) and controls for optical systems, products, and processes. More reliable and efficient than traditional methods, DOE saves time and money when creating new designs, especially in areas with little existing knowledge. By statistically analyzing a small set of well-planned experiments, DOE identifies the best inputs and controls, and helps manage processes and set limits. This course covers the basics of DOE using the Full Factorial method, with presentations, examples, and exercises. Learning Outcomes: This course will enable you to: - apply experiments in the optical system design process. - evaluate pros/cons: Trial & Error, One-Factor-at-a-Time, Full Factorial DOE, Fractional Factorial DOE. - identify when to use or avoid DOE. - create and run a DOE study effectively. - select appropriate inputs and outputs for a DOE study. - analyze DOE data to provide design suggestions and improvements. Instructor(s): Sergey M. Nikitin is an accomplished tech leader specializing in optical systems design for optical metrology, biomedical, robotics, semiconductor, and computer vision applications. With over 17 years of experience in academia, national labs (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory), and major companies (Amazon, ASML), he has led 20+ R&D projects, resulting in substantial cost reductions and performance improvements. Dr. Nikitin's expertise centers around optical system design, simulation, rapid prototyping, and software-hardware integration. Sergey holds a PhD in Physics with a focus on applied optics and a mini-MBA from UC Berkeley. He has received multiple prestigious awards, such as SPOT awards from LBNL, holds 3 patents, and has more than 25 publications in top journals including Nature and Science. Dr. Nikitin is a member of OPTICA, SPIE, and IEEE. Event: SPIE Photonics West 2025 Course Held: 27 January 2025