Page 14 - Modern Optical Engineering The Design of Optical Systems

xii Preface

Among the more apparent changes in this edition are: A modest revi-
sion of the organization of the entire book. The old second chapter has
been divided into three chapters, gaussian optics, paraxial calculations,
and the optics of combinations. The chapter on aberrations has been
enhanced by adding a chapter on third-order aberration theory and
computation. Most of the old chapter on raytracing has been banished
to App. A. An entirely new chapter of first-order system layout case
studies, consisting of worked-out numerical examples, has been added,
including an example of zoom lens layout and an example of an infrared
cooled detector system. The two chapters of the earlier editions which
dealt with lens design are now three (The Basics of Lens Design, Lens
Design for Eyepieces, Microscopes, Cameras, etc., and Design of Mirror
and Catadioptric Systems). The previous Chap. 14 which had “Some 44
More Lens Designs” has been expanded to some 62 designs, and the pres-
entation of the aberrations has been improved to include not only the
ray intercept plots and longitudinal spherical (now in three wave-
lengths), monochromatic distortion and field curvature, but also longi-
tudinal color and lateral color (in three wavelengths). This same
presentation style has been used throughout the book, replacing the old-
fashioned monochromatic longitudinal plots of spherical and field cur-
vature. An entirely new chapter on the use of “stock” lenses has been
added following the chapter on the practical side of the practice of optics.
The numerical exercises which follow the early chapters are now com-
pletely worked out, instead of simply providing the correct answers.
There is a new Glossary, which I have attempted to make the best, most
complete, most authoritative, and most accurate glossary in optical
system design literature. The two new appendices deal with raytracing and
standard dimensions. A worked-out demonstration of designing a toler-
ance budget has been added to the optical practice chapter (Chap. 20).
A series of entertaining do-it-yourself visual experiments conclude the
chapter on the eye.
In my opinion no single individual or small group can write “the com-
plete book” on optical engineering and optical system design. Any book
tends to deal primarily with its author’s personal experience (and none
of us has done everything). So I take this opportunity to strongly sug-
gest that the reader who finds MOE interesting and worthwhile should
also read Kingslake, Optical System Design, Academic, 1983, and also
Fischer and Tadic, Optical System Design, McGraw-Hill, 2000, in order
to avail themselves of additional (and competent) viewpoints on the
subject.
In closing, I want to express my gratitude to the many friends and col-
leagues who have shared their knowledge with me during six decades of
enjoying my work in optics—with their help I learn something every day.