Re: The art of optical design


"Bob" <bobsinclare666@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote

> Basically I am trying to figure out if it would be economically viable
> to get someone to re-design a Michelson-type microscope objective for
> us at several magnifications instead of buying them from a commercial
> source for instance.
>
> The aim is naturally to produce a few and sell them inside our
> application or as stand-alone objectives.
>
> Several questions I am wondering are:
>
> 1) Is it possible to design a Michelson-type interferometric microscope
> objective with off-the-shelf optical elements (lenses) instead of
> having to have custom lenses manufactured which I assumme may be quite
> costly?
>
> 2) What is a typical amount of work required to do the optical design
> for such an objective (at a particular magnification) and hence what
> would be a typical cost?
>
> 3) I understand that achieving a design for such an objective with,
> say, a x20 magnification and with a 0.3 NA may be quite different than
> designing the same objective with a 0.4NA and the cost difference may
> be quite large. That's why defining the spec is quite important here
> and that will require some discussion. Anyways, we are not trying to
> achieve better specs than commercially available products and would be
> prepared to accept a few compromises (on the NA for instance) if that
> means a significant cost reduction for the final price of the
> objectives.

OK, I understand.

The only advice I can give you is to go and buy a commercially available
unit.

The DIY approach won't work, even if you have very deep pockets and
access to a very good lab / machine shop.

Other responders have given you good advice and told you about
the difficulties and cost of the undertaking.

Now don't take this personally but (as an optical engineer) I always
wonder at this type of request, the assumption (for example) that
armed with a computer program any reasonably competent technical
person (w/o prior experience in optical engineering and design) can
design a complicated objective (microscope or photographic), an
interferometer etc.

This is the bane of optical engineers/designers especially when the
person in question happens to be your manager / a co-worker / a client.

Again nothing personal, best of luck in your endeavors.






.

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