About

About
This table allows to upload a standard component from a catalog in the "advanced calculations" simulation tool.

Actually, the components that can be inserted are either lenses, mirrors, gratings and prisms.

The component reference copied from the relevant catalog has to be entered in the reference cell. The component can be either inserted as a single component (option "replace actual system" of the component position cell) or inserted after a surface of the existing system.


=====Replacement of the actual system=====

If the option "replace actual system" is selected, the component is setup with a default configuration.


Distance from object to first surface of the component

- For lenses and mirrors, it is the value given in the obj. cell of the relevant reference in the catalog.
- For gratings and prisms, the object is considered at infinity.


Distance from last surface of the component to observation surface

- For lenses and mirrors, it is the value given in the obs. cell of the relevant reference in the catalog.
- For gratings and prisms, it is proportionnal to the aperture size perpendicular to the grooves.


Wavelength(s)

- For lenses, it is the value given in the wavelength cell of the relevant reference in the catalog.
- For mirrors and prisms, it is "0.55 microns".
- For gratings, it is the corresponding Blaze wavelength Blaze wave. when specified otherwise it is "0.55 microns".


=====Insertion after a surface=====

If the component is placed after a surface (insertion surface) of an existing system, the system configuration is maintained. Indeed, fields and wavelengths are unchanged as well as aperture size and position to a certain extent (the system remains telecentric if it was already or the position of the aperture is defined by the same surface). In case the aperture does not allow anymore the chief ray transmission, the first surface of the system is then considered as the new stop surface.

The distance fom the insertion surface to the first surface of the component and the distance from the last surface of the component to the next one are calculated for a best fitting in the system but these distances are probably not those wished by the user.

In any case, they can be modified afterwards.


=====Component configuration=====

The component configuration in the system depends on its type. Wether it is replacing the system or inserted after a surface of the system some configuration rules remain unchanged.

lenses

A lens is aligned on the chief ray and is oriented in the same way regarding it wether there are even or odd number of reflections before. In any case, the lens can be flipped afterwards.


Mirrors

A centered mirror is aligned on the chief ray and is oriented in the same way regarding it wether there are even or odd number of reflections before. The rule is different for off-axis mirrors with non null offset.


For “off-axis parabola-angular offset”, the incident chief ray makes an angle equal to the offset (in degrees) with the mirror axis. It passes through the focal point and intersects the mirror at the center of its aperture.

For “off-axis parabola-decenter”, the incident chief ray is parallel to the mirror axis at a distance from it equal to the offset (in mm). It intersects as well the aperture center of the mirror.


Gratings

By default, a grating is aligned on the chief ray and the diffraction order is "-1". In case the grooves density and the order are too large for enabling the chief ray to propagate, the grating is turned around the "X" axis (By default, perpendicular to the screen) the best possible up to an angle allowing the chief ray to be diffracted,


Prisms

By default, prisms are positionned so that the angled facets are perpendicular to the screen. By default also, a wedge is oriented so that its first facet is perpendicular to the chief ray. For any other type, the prism is turned around its "X" axis (Originally, perpendicular to the screen) so that the angle of incidence of the chief corresponds to the minimum deviation,


Note that once the component is inserted, the software automatically re-position sub-system after it in order to enable the chief ray transmission through the entire system.

This outstanding feature avoids wasting time, especially when using off-axis mirrors, gratings and prisms. Obviously, this features works only if the system is replacing an older one or if the previous system allows the chief to propagate.