ECE 59500 - Optical Imaging System Design

Course Details

Credits: 3

Counts as:

  • EE Elective
  • CMPE Selective - Special Content

Normally Offered:

Spring - odd years

Campus/Online:

On-campus and online

Requisites by Topic:

Linear algebra and basic geometrical optics

Catalog Description:

Upon completion of this course, students will thoroughly understand the process of optical system design and acquire the skills to carry out practical optical system design using widely used commercial design software (Zemax). This course will start with an overview of modern imaging systems and the introduction of the background knowledge points required for imaging system design. Next, we will provide systematic training for using the ray-tracing software (Zemax) to carry out practical imaging system design. The learning process involves both a theoretical understanding of the aberration of the imaging system and how to leverage design software to control and suppress the system aberration. To convert the basic design model to practical systems, we will discuss the practical aspects of imaging system design including the tolerance analysis, optomechanical integration, and the calibration and testing of imaging systems. Next, we will utilize these fundamental skills to analyze and design practical imaging solutions including camera systems and microscopic imaging systems. Finally, we will discuss the wave propagation method for analyzing high numerical aperture imaging systems.

Required Text(s):

None.

Recommended Text(s):

  1. Several recommended references will be provided

Learning Outcomes:

A student who successfully fulfills the course requirements will have demonstrated:
  1. A thorough understanding of the essence of imaging system design. [None]
  2. Understand the aberrations in lens systems. [None]
  3. Understand the principle and the limitation of ray tracing.. [None]
  4. How to achieve spherical aberration correction. [None]
  5. How to achieve chromatic aberration correction and the choice of optical glass. [None]
  6. How to design basic lenses using ray tracing software. [None]
  7. How to implement lens optimization. [None]
  8. Understand the lens fabrication process. [None]
  9. How to apply lens tolerance analysis. [None]

Lecture Outline:

Week Topic
1 Overview of imaging system design
2 Fundamentals of imaging system
3 Fundamentals of lens design program
4-5 The aberration of imaging systems
6-7 The control of system aberration
8-9 Lens optimization
10 Tolerance analysis
11 Imaging system integration
12 Calibration and testing of imaging system
13 The design of macroscopic imaging system
14 The design of microscopic imaging system
15 Wave propagation method

Assessment Method:

Projects