What Software Can Design a High-Accuracy Collimator Lens?

[russel.arnold]

Hi

I want to make a high accuracy collimator lens, such that it collimates ( with divergence angle < 1 micron) a beam of light coming from the focal plane but from off axis points as well ( -delta to + delta, where delta is in microns).

Sugest some suitable softwares (along with the link) which can be used to design this lens, and give any idea which u may have.

Thanks for the help

 

[Dr Lots-o'watts]

I believe zemax is among the best for such projects.

www.gentec-eo.com

 

[russel.arnold]

Can i find zemax on the internet. If yes, pls give me the link! I found one on their website, but its asking for hardware key. So I guess its not a free software :(
thanks a lot in advance

 

[NobodySpecial]

Nope it's quite expensive software (http://www.zemax.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=8&Itemid=135 ) but very cheap compared to code-V (http://www.opticalres.com/cv/cvprodds_f.html)

The only free optical design software I know of is the educational version of OSLO (http://www.sinopt.com/ ) - I don't think you need to be education but it is limited to system with only very few components. The interface is a little old fashioned but the answers are just as good as zemax

 

[russel.arnold]

sad

can u suggest me a wayout. I need to do this as soon as possible!

 

[NobodySpecial]

Either OSLO free version, or just do the maths yourself

 

[russel.arnold]

Can u please outline the strategy how should i go about solving this. (How can i attack the problem in i have to do it manually). Actually this is the first time i am doing something like this.

 

[russel.arnold]

I think I may have to use Q-u method ( ray tracing). right?

 

[NobodySpecial]

What exactly are you trying to do ?
It may be easier to just use a finished lens, a camera lens or a telescope rather than trying to assemble your own.

Take a look at the edmunds (http://www.edmundoptics.com/) aswell, they also have very good technical support

 

[russel.arnold]

I have to design a lens which collimates a beam of light coming from a optical fiber (it will come in conical shape) of diameter 600 microns. Now, obviously, the light will come from off axis points as well. So if the face of the fiber is kept at the focus of a normal lens, then after collimation, the beam will have diverge ( I hope u can imagine why). I want to take care of this divergence (should be less than 1 mrad).

Thanks