Abstract

New developments will be reported on the theory of designing multi-mirror optical systems by solving differential equations of mirror surfaces. The surface differential equations are based on the Abbe sine condition, the condition of constant optical path length, and the generalized Coddington relations, which permit the optical system to be free of all orders of coma, spherical aberration, and astigmatism, respectively. Specific results on the application of three optical conditions for elimination of all orders of these aberrations will be presented for two- and three-mirror systems. The performance of these systems will be reported and compared with results of similar systems designed by conventional optical design methods.

© 1992 Optical Society of America