Optics Software for Layout and Optimization
Encyclopedia
Optics Software for Layout and Optimization (OSLO) is an optical design program originally developed at the University of Rochester in the 1970s. The first commercial version was produced in 1976 by Sinclair Optics. Since then, OSLO has been rewritten several times as computer technology has advanced. In 1993, Sinclair Optics acquired the GENII program for optical design, and many of the features of GENII are now included in OSLO. Lambda Research Corporation (Littleton MA) purchased the program from Sinclair Optics in 2001 .
The OSLO software is used by scientists and engineers to design lens
es, reflector
s, optical instruments, laser
collimators, and illumination systems. It is also used for simulation and analysis of optical systems using both geometrical and physical optics
. In addition to optical design and analysis, OSLO provides a complete technical software development system including interactive graphics, math, and database libraries.
, aspheric lenses , interferometers , and time-varying designs .
OSLO has many unique features, for instance slider wheels. This feature allows users to affix up to 32 graphical sliders providing callbacks to default or user-supplied routines that perform evaluation or even full optimization iterations when a slider is moved. Some examples in the use of these slider wheels to design telescopes are provided by Howard.
) Client/Server interface. This enables the program to work with products such as MATLAB
to create a multi-disciplinary environment, such an environment was used to design and analyze the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) .
Tutorials, written specifically for beginners, on how to download and use this software are available from Ancient and Modern Optics and Steve Fejes
The OSLO software is used by scientists and engineers to design lens
Lens (optics)
A lens is an optical device with perfect or approximate axial symmetry which transmits and refracts light, converging or diverging the beam. A simple lens consists of a single optical element...
es, reflector
Retroreflector
A retroreflector is a device or surface that reflects light back to its source with a minimum scattering of light. An electromagnetic wave front is reflected back along a vector that is parallel to but opposite in direction from the wave's source. The device or surface's angle of incidence is...
s, optical instruments, laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
collimators, and illumination systems. It is also used for simulation and analysis of optical systems using both geometrical and physical optics
Physical optics
In physics, physical optics, or wave optics, is the branch of optics which studies interference, diffraction, polarization, and other phenomena for which the ray approximation of geometric optics is not valid...
. In addition to optical design and analysis, OSLO provides a complete technical software development system including interactive graphics, math, and database libraries.
Applications
OSLO provides an integrated software environment that helps complete contemporary optical design. More than a lens design software, OSLO provides advanced tools for designing medical instrumentation, illuminations systems and telecommunications equipment, to name just a few typical applications. OSLO has been used in a multitude of optical designs including holographic systems , anastigmatic telescopes , gradient index optics , off-axis refractive/diffractive telescopes . the James Webb Space TelescopeJames Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope , previously known as Next Generation Space Telescope , is a planned next-generation space telescope, optimized for observations in the infrared. The main technical features are a large and very cold 6.5 meter diameter mirror, an observing position far from Earth,...
, aspheric lenses , interferometers , and time-varying designs .
Capabilities
OSLO is primarily used in the lens design process to determine the optimal sizes and shapes of the components in optical systems. OSLO has the capability of modeling a wide range of reflective, refractive and diffractive components. In addition, OSLO is used to simulate and analyze the performance of optical systems. OSLO's CCL (Compiled Command Language), which is a subset of the C programming language, can be used to develop specialized optical and lens design software tools for modeling, testing, and tolerancing optical systems.OSLO has many unique features, for instance slider wheels. This feature allows users to affix up to 32 graphical sliders providing callbacks to default or user-supplied routines that perform evaluation or even full optimization iterations when a slider is moved. Some examples in the use of these slider wheels to design telescopes are provided by Howard.
Compatibility
OSLO works with other software products using a DDE (Dynamic Data ExchangeDynamic Data Exchange
Dynamic Data Exchange is a technology for interprocess communication under Microsoft Windows or OS/2.- Overview :Dynamic Data Exchange was first introduced in 1987 with the release of Windows 2.0 as a method of interprocess communication so that one program can communicate with or control another...
) Client/Server interface. This enables the program to work with products such as MATLAB
MATLAB
MATLAB is a numerical computing environment and fourth-generation programming language. Developed by MathWorks, MATLAB allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of user interfaces, and interfacing with programs written in other languages,...
to create a multi-disciplinary environment, such an environment was used to design and analyze the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) .
Free Educational Product
• OSLO EDUTutorials, written specifically for beginners, on how to download and use this software are available from Ancient and Modern Optics and Steve Fejes
See also
- Advanced Systems Analysis Program (ASAP)
- Code VCODE VCode V is a commercial software package developed by Optical Research Associates. It is used for the design and analysis of optical imaging and optical communication systems...
- ZemaxZemaxZemax is a widely-used optical design program sold by Zemax Development Corporation of Bellevue, Washington . It is used for the design and analysis of optical systems...
- Hughes Executable Application for General-Purpose Optical Analysis (HEXAGON)
- TraceProTraceProTracePro is a commercial optical engineering software program for designing and analyzing optical and illumination systems. The program's Graphical User Interface is 3D CAD based creating a virtual prototyping environment to perform software simulation before manufacture.-History:Developed by...
- Fred Optical Engineering Software
- Optical engineeringOptical engineeringOptical engineering is the field of study that focuses on applications of optics. Optical engineers design components of optical instruments such as lenses, microscopes, telescopes, and other equipment that utilizes the properties of light. Other devices include optical sensors and measurement...
- Optical lens designOptical lens designOptical lens design refers to the calculation of lens construction parameters that will meet a set of performance requirements and constraints, including cost and schedule limitations....