VOB Virtual Optical Bench Program Series
This example demonstrates the use of image synthesis und animation of elements. A simple prism spectrograph is made up of 2 lenses and a dispersion prism. Fig. 3-1 shows the 2D view of the design, Fig 3-2 an 3D view. A bundle of beams is drawn for 546 nm. The two lenses project the object plane onto the image plane (1:1).
Fig 3-1: 2D view of a prism spectrograph
Fig 3-2: 3D view of a prism spectrograph. Note tool bar for moving the system view in space
Fig 3-2: Spot diagram prism spectrograph (False colors) |
The spot diagram (Fig. 3-3) of the image plane shows several spots corresponding to the wavelengths 450 nm, 500 nm, 550 nm, 600 nm , 650 nm, and 700 nm. Colors are false colors, deep blue belongs to the shortest wavelength defined for the particular optical system. Due to the dispersion several spots are visible. Note the variation in spot size caused by chromatic aberration. |
| Animation of optical elements (Fig. 3-4) is used to demonstrate positioning of prism to angle of minimum deviation where light beam traverses prism symmetrically. Animation feature of VOB++ and VOB Pro may be used to define shifting and rotating of optical elements. Similarly an optical beam may be moved over the entrance pupil either by angle or by position depending on type of optical system. |
Fig 3-4: Animation demonstrates prism angle of minimum deviation for 545 nm |
