University of Colorado Boulder
Design of High-Performance Optical Systems
University of Colorado Boulder

Design of High-Performance Optical Systems

This course is part of Optical Engineering Specialization

Taught in English

Some content may not be translated

Robert McLeod

Instructor: Robert McLeod

6,201 already enrolled

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Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

4.6

(46 reviews)

Advanced level
Designed for those already in the industry
23 hours (approximately)
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Progress towards a degree

What you'll learn

  • Describe how different wavelengths propagate through systems

  • Develop strategies for correcting aberrations and enhancing the performance of optical instruments in various applications

  • Describe the nature and effects of optical aberrations, particularly in high-angle, non-paraxial systems

Details to know

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Assessments

22 quizzes

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

4.6

(46 reviews)

Advanced level
Designed for those already in the industry
23 hours (approximately)
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Progress towards a degree

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This course is part of the Optical Engineering Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
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There are 5 modules in this course

We now move away from the first order approximations and into real lenses and imperfect optical systems. We begin with a description of how different wavelengths propagate through systems.

What's included

15 videos3 readings2 quizzes4 discussion prompts

This module introduces the many types and causes of monochromatic imperfections in optical systems. We begin with the mathematical background of the causes of aberrations, then introduce a number of common aberrations so that you may recognize them in your own systems.

What's included

20 videos6 quizzes4 discussion prompts

This module continues to discuss monochromatic imperfections in optical systems. We introduce field curvature and distortion so that you may recognize them in your own systems and then summarize the causes and effects of 3rd order aberrations along with the mathematical tools to describe them.

What's included

13 videos6 quizzes

The previous three modules have discussed the various types of aberrations you will find in your optical systems. We now move to how to design a system that limits those aberrations.

What's included

10 videos5 quizzes

In this last module before the capstone, we change gears from aberrations, and discuss a number of other optical elements that are usual in systems other than lenses. We cover light shaping with prisms, GRIN lenses, diffractive optics such as diffraction gratings and Fresnel lenses. Then we finish with an important optical element to all of us - the human eye. This module covers a lot of material and may take you a bit longer than the others.

What's included

26 videos2 readings3 quizzes2 discussion prompts

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.2 (18 ratings)
Robert McLeod
University of Colorado Boulder
3 Courses21,548 learners

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4.6

46 reviews

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Reviewed on Jun 7, 2022

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Reviewed on Nov 13, 2022

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Reviewed on Jul 20, 2020

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