This course presents the use of finite element methods to model and predict the behavior of optical elements and support structures including lenses, mirrors, windows, and optical mounts in the presence of mechanical and environmental loads. Students will learn general FEA modeling strategies and guidelines specific to optical systems including how to develop low-fidelity models to quickly perform optomechanical design tradeoffs as well as the creation of high-fidelity models to support detailed design. Emphasized will be the application of FEA techniques to meet optical system error budget allocations including mounting tolerances, alignment errors, optical surface distortions, image stability, and wavefront error. In addition, use of FEA to ensure structural integrity requirements including yield, buckling, and fracture will be discussed.

This course presents optomechanical analysis methods to optimize the performance of imaging systems subject to environmental influences. Emphasized is the application of finite element techniques to develop efficient and practical models for optical elements and support structures from early design concepts to final production models. Students will learn how to design, analyze, and predict performance of optical systems subject to the influence of gravity, pressure, stress, harmonic, random, transient, and thermal loading. The integration of optical element thermal and structural response quantities into optical design software including ZEMAX and CODEV is presented that allow optical performance metrics such as wavefront error to be computed as a function of the environment and mechanical design variables. Advanced techniques including the modeling of adaptive optics and design optimization are also discussed. Examples will be drawn from ground-based, airborne, and spaceborne optical systems.