[2025] Parametric relations for coupling wavefront measurements, mechanical misalignment, and operational performance for imaging systems

J. H. Burge, J. Beverage, L. Graves, E. LaVilla, and C. K. Merle “Parametric relations for coupling wavefront measurements, mechanical misalignment, and operational performance for imaging systems”, Proc. SPIE 13602, Optical System Alignment, Tolerancing, and Verification XVI, 1360202, 2025

Abstract:

Efficient alignment of optical systems requires understanding the relationship of one space with another – mechanical degrees of freedom (position and angle) and the resulting image degradation in an optical system. Using an understanding of the functional forms of the aberrations that result from misalignment, we define a sparse set of measurements that fully characterize the meaningful degrees of freedom of the system, allowing quick mechanical alignment and optical evaluation. As an example, a 2-mirror Cassegrain telescope coupled with field correction lenses is aligned, demonstrating how parametric relations can be used to both guide alignment and predict performance. We show a particular test that uses a computer-generated hologram to provide feedback for fully aligning the secondary, defining location for back-end field correction optics, and verifying performance across the field of view. The parametric relations make data reduction easy, giving both mechanical degrees of freedom and telescope aberrations.

Link to publication.