What Is Zernike Mixing in Optical Materials?

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SUMMARY

Zernike mixing refers to the undesirable interaction of different Zernike polynomials when characterizing optical aberrations in materials. In the context of comparing silicon (Si) and zirconium (Zr) optical materials, Zernike mixing indicates that one material exhibits a combination of aberrations that complicates optical performance. Zernike polynomials, which are orthogonal functions used to describe these aberrations, should ideally remain distinct; however, mixing can lead to challenges in optical design and analysis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Zernike Polynomials in optics
  • Familiarity with optical aberrations and their classifications
  • Knowledge of wave optics principles
  • Basic concepts of optical materials and their properties
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  • Research the implications of Zernike mixing on optical performance
  • Study the relationship between Zernike polynomials and Seidel coefficients
  • Explore methods to mitigate Zernike mixing in optical design
  • Learn about the properties of silicon and zirconium as optical materials
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Optical engineers, physicists, and materials scientists interested in the performance of optical materials and the analysis of aberrations in lens design.

mellifluidic
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Zernike mixing - ?

Hi. I understand that Zernike was a physicist and that he did some work in optics, and am also aware of the Zernike Polynomials which are used in optics to describe aberrations in lenses, etc. What I do not understand is a comment that I got (from a non-native English speaker) in comparing optical materials (Si and Zr) regarding one having "Zernike Mixing" (apparently not desirable) and another not having it. What is "mixing" in "Zernike Mixing"? Does it refer to the mixing of different kinds of aberrations (polynomials) or something akin?
 
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Zernike polynomials are used to describe aberrations in wave optics and are (sort of) interchangable with Seidel coefficients. Zernike polynomials are orthogonal on the unit circle, so I can't understand what is being 'mixed'. I have never head of the term 'Zernike mixing'.
 

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