Optical Design (S15) Joseph A.
Shaw – Montana State University
Ray Aberrations
Rays represent the direction of wave-front propagation. Therefore, rays point in the direction
of the wave-front surface normal and can be calculated as the wave-front gradient.
The “transverse ray aberration” (TRA) is the distance, orthogonal to the optical axis, between
a paraxial ray and its corresponding real ray (i.e., the transverse distance between ideal and
real ray locations). The TRA can be calculated as a derivative of the wave front:
𝑅 𝜕𝑊
TRA(y) = −
𝑛𝑟 𝜕𝑦
R = radius of curvature of reference sphere
r = exit pupil height
n = index of refraction in image space
W = wave-front aberration function (OPD)
y = meridional-plane (vertical) coordinate in exit pupil
References
1. J. Sasian, Introduction to aberrations in optical imaging systems, Cambridge Press, 2013.
2. W. T. Welford, Aberrations of optical systems, Adam Hilger Press (Bristol and Philadelphia), 1986.
3. R. R. Shannon, The art and science of optical design, Cambridge Press, 1997.
4. P. Mouroulis and J. Macdonald, Geometrical optics and optical design, Oxford Press, 1997. 1
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Ray Fan Geometry
“Ray fans” plot the ray aberration vs normalized
pupil coordinate in tangential & sagittal planes.
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
2
with practical Zemax examples, Fig. 7.1
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Ray Patterns in the Entrance Pupil
In Zemax and other optical design codes, ray aberrations are determined by tracing many rays
from a single object point, through many locations in the entrance pupil, to the image plane.
Here are some of the possible “pupil grids” for determining where the rays intersect the pupil.
Uniform random square triangular polar
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
3
with practical Zemax examples, Figs. 7.2, 7.4
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Spot Diagrams
In Zemax and other optical design codes, spot diagrams are maps of where rays intersect the
image plane after passing through the pupil with a chosen grid pattern. A spot diagram can be
considered to be an image of a point source. Here is one example …
4
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Defocus (𝑊020 )
The aberration called “defocus” is more of a user-controlled variable than an actual aberration.
It varies quadratically with aperture in wave front form and linearly with aperture in ray form.
Ray fans
Spot diagrams
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
5
with practical Zemax examples, Fig. 7.5
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Spherical (𝑊040 )
Spherical aberration is an on-axis aberration that varies as the 4th power of the aperture in the
wave front form and as the 3rd power of the aperture in the ray aberration form.
Ray fans
Spot diagrams
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
6
with practical Zemax examples, Fig. 7.6
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Coma (𝑊131 )
Coma is an off-axis aberration that varies as the 3rd power of the aperture in the wave front
form and as the 2nd power of the aperture in the ray aberration form.
Ray fans
Spot diagrams
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
7
with practical Zemax examples, Fig. 7.7
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Tangential and Sagittal Coma
Coma forms a comet-shaped flare of ray intersections in the image plane, spread away from
the chief-ray intersection (where the Gaussian image is located). Its magnitude can be
expressed as either tangential coma (CMA3 = 3rd-order coma ray ab) or as sagittal coma.
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
8
with practical Zemax examples, Fig. 7.8
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Astigmatism (𝑊222 )
Astigmatism is an off-axis aberration that varies quadratically with aperture in the wave front
form and linearly with aperture in the ray aberration form.
Ray fans
Spot diagrams
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
9
with practical Zemax examples, Fig. 7.9
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Field Curvature (𝑊220 )
Field curvature is an off-axis aberration that affects the axial position of the point spread function
(psf) but not its shape (for every chief ray there is a location of ‘ideal’ focus).
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
10
with practical Zemax examples, Fig. 7.11
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Distortion(𝑊311 )
Distortion is an off-axis aberration that affects the transverse position of the psf but not its shape
(the rays still focus tightly, but at a point shifted in a transverse plane).
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
11
with practical Zemax examples, Fig. 7.12
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Field Curvature (𝑊220 ) and Distortion (𝑊311 )
These are off-axis aberrations that do not affect the shape of the point spread function (psf), but
instead alters its position.
Field Curvature:
height-dependent
axial focus shift
Distortion:
height-dependent
transverse focus shift
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
12
with practical Zemax examples, Fig. 7.10
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Field Curvature (𝑊220 ) and Distortion (𝑊311 )
These are off-axis aberrations that do not affect the shape of the point spread function (psf), but
instead alters its position.
“stigmatic” = point-like
Field curvature
Distortion
W. Smith, Modern Optical
13
Engineering, Figs. 7.12, 7.13
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Seidel aberrations that alter the psf shape
These are the Seidel aberrations that alter the shape of the point spread function (psf).
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
14
with practical Zemax examples, Fig. 7.19
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Ray Fan Equation for Astigmatism & Defocus
𝑊 = 𝑊222 𝐻 2 𝜌2 cos 2 𝜙 + 𝑊020 𝜌2 = 𝑊222 𝐻 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑊020 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
−𝑅 𝜕𝑊 𝜕𝑊
TRA 𝑥 = = 0 + 2𝑊020 𝑥 = 2𝑊020 𝜌 sin 𝜙
𝑛𝑟 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
−𝑅 𝜕𝑊 𝜕𝑊
TRA 𝑦 = = 2𝑊222 𝐻 2 𝑦 + 2𝑊020 𝑦 = 2𝜌 cos 𝜙 𝑊222 𝐻 2 + 𝑊020
𝑛𝑟 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
Sagittal focus
𝜕𝑊
Sagittal fan extent (𝜌 = 1, 𝜙 = 90° & 270° ): = ±2𝑊020
𝜕𝑥
But if 𝑊220 = 0, sagittal focus = paraxial focus, so 𝑊020 = 0 and the ‘sagittal fan extent’ = 0
𝜕𝑊
Tangential fan extent (𝜌 = 1, 𝜙 = 0° & 180° ): = ±2 𝑊222 𝐻 2 + 𝑊020
𝜕𝑦
Again, if 𝑊220 = 0, 𝑊020 = 0 and the ‘tangential fan extent’ = ±2𝑊222 𝐻 2
15
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Ray Fan Equation for Astigmatism & Defocus
Tangential focus
𝜕𝑊
Tangential fan extent ≡ 0 (𝜌 = 1, 𝜙 = 0° & 180°): = ±2 𝑊222 𝐻 2 + 𝑊020 = 0
𝜕𝑦
∴ The amount of defocus required to reach the tangential focus is 𝑊020 = −𝑊222 𝐻 2
Sagittal fan extent (𝜌 = 1, 𝜙 = 90° & 270° ):
𝜕𝑊 𝜕𝑊
= 2𝑊020 𝜌 sin 𝜙 = −2𝑊222 𝐻 2 𝜌 sin 𝜙 = ±2𝑊222 𝐻 2
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
We see that the sagittal focal line length = tangential focal line length = ±2𝑊222 𝐻 2
(The ‘medial focus’ is halfway between the tangential & sagittal foci)
16
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Seidel Aberration Coefficients
The Seidel aberration coefficients can be calculated from paraxial ray trace data.
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
17
with practical Zemax examples,
Optical Design (S15) Joseph A. Shaw – Montana State University
Structural Aberration Coefficients
J. Geary, Introduction to Lens Design
18
with practical Zemax examples,
