Optical Design Using Excel

Practical Calculations for Laser Optical Systems

Hiroshi Nakajima

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781118939123
• eBook ISBN: 9781118939130
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications
• Index: Technology & Engineering

A practical introductory guide to optical design covering geometrical optics, simple wave-optics and diffraction, using Excel software • explains practical calculation methods for designing optical systems with fully worked-out examples and avoiding complex mathematical methods
• includes practical calculations for ray tracing, laser beam (Gaussian beam) focusing, and diffraction calculations; the ray tracing and the diffraction calculations are done by using the VBA program which Excel provides as a supporting tool
• describes basic optical theory and application methods, and provides readers with calculation methods for designing laser optical systems with numerous practical calculation examples. After finishing the book, even inexperienced readers should have the ability to design laser optical systems
• covers large areas of geometrical optics and diffraction theory, providing a good overview and reference for beginners or non-specialist engineers
• accompanied by a website including password protected electronic files

Chapter 1
Geometrical Optics

1.1 Characteristics of Lasers

This book is about optical calculation methods and the principles for applying these methods to actual optical devices. Most of these devices use lasers, so we will begin by briefly examining the characteristics of lasers. The following exposition will be especially beneficial for readers whose understanding of lasers is rather limited.

The term LASER is an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” Lasers have special characteristics that distinguish them from most light-emitting devices: a narrow, low-divergence beam (sharp directivity), and a very narrow wavelength spectrum (monochromaticity). These features of lasers make them ideally suited for the generation of high intensity beams.

The history of lasers goes back about half a century to 1960, when the first working laser was demonstrated. Lasers are now widely used in a variety of fields, including optical storage (e.g., CD drives and DVD drives), fiber-optic communication, manufacturing (especially for cutting, bending, welding, and marking materials), scientific measurement, and medicine. This diversity of application is due to the following four properties of lasers, which give them a commercial and scientific edge over other light-emitting devices.

1. 1. Monochromaticity: Radiation that has a very narrow frequency band (or wavelength band) is said to possess the property of monochromaticity. Because the band is so narrow, the radiation can be regarded as having a single frequency (or alternatively, a single wavelength). Laser light typically has a very narrow frequency band (or wavelength band), which makes it an ideal example of the property of monochromaticity. ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Table of Contents
• About the Author
• Preface
• Chapter 1: Geometrical Optics
• Chapter 2: Examples of Simple Optical Design Using Paraxial Theory
• Chapter 3: Ray Tracing Applications of Paraxial Theory
• Chapter 4: Two-Dimensional Ray Tracing
• Chapter 5: Three-Dimensional Ray Tracing
• Chapter 6: Mathematical Formulae for Describing Wave Motion
• Chapter 7: Calculations for Focusing Gaussian Beams
• Chapter 8: Diffraction: Theory and Calculations
• Chapter 9: Calculations for Gaussian Beam Diffraction
• Appendix A: Paraxial Theory: A Detailed Account
• Appendix B: Table of Refractive Indices for BK7
• Appendix C: Equations for Plane Waves, Spherical Waves, and Gaussian Beams
• Appendix D: Numerical Integration Methods
• Appendix E: Fresnel Diffraction and Fraunhofer Diffraction
• Appendix F: Wave-Front Conversion by a Lens
• Appendix G: List of Excel Calculation Files on the Companion Web Site
• Index
• End User License Agreement