Abstract

We present an approach for analyzing and reducing image plane flare light in optical systems. The approach uses field calculations as well as standard ray tracing routines to predict the irradiance of stray light fields. A flare analysis routine has been written to trace fields through optical systems and calculate the levels of background flare due to multiple reflections between lens surfaces. We include these flare calculations in the merit function of a lens optimization program and describe an efficient algorithm for calculating a flare figure of merit. Using this approach, we redesigned some simple systems for low flare levels and comparable levels of image aberrations.

© 1988 Optical Society of America