615.778.81 - Optical System Design and Modelling

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

Review first-order optics, CODE V Software intro, Specification Document, Optical Design method, Third order aberrations: Spherical, Coma, Astigmatism, Petzval, Distortion, Lateral and Longitudinal chromatic aberrations, Thin Lens approximation, Bending a lens, Conjugate factor, Stop shifts, Optimization theory, Merit function construction, Local and Global optimization algorithms, Choice of variables, Aspheric optics, Gradient index optics, Diffractive optics, Fresnel Lenses, Freeforms, Meta Surfaces, Glass and other material properties, Cemented Doublet design, Airspaced doublets design method, Correcting Petzval, Correcting Astigmatism, Lens fabrication, Lens tolerances, System tolerances, Symmetries in tolerancing, Compensating errors, Reflective vs Refractive, Obstructions, Reflective design forms, Decenter and Tilts, Cameras, Telescopes, Eyepieces, Microscopes

Course Goals

To create an optical design that meets the desired performance specifications provided by the customer.  To evaluate and recognize the image quality and first-order properties of any given optical system.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Develop an optical design specification document composed of relevant first-order properties and image quality requirements.
• Analyze optical models for first-order properties, aberrations and other image quality metrics, and compare with specifications.
• Identify how third-order and chromatic aberrations impact the image quality of optical systems.
• Demonstrate optical design skills for reducing aberrations in optical systems, and improving image quality.
• Create optical designs from a given specification provided to the designer.

Textbooks

Required 

• None. 

Optional 

The following references might be useful both during and after the course: 

1. SPIE Field Guide to Lens Design, by Julie Bentley and Craig Olson​ 
2. SPIE Field Guide to Geometrical Optics, by John Grievencamp​ 
3. Designing Optics using CODE V, by Don O’Shea and Julie Bentley 

Required Software

CODE V optical design software will be used for the majority of homework assignments and project. 

ZEMAX and OSLO optical design software will be used for demonstrations, and limited course work.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–10 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 3–4 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 2–3 hours per week), and writing assignments (approximately 2–3 hours per week). 

This course will consist of the following basic student requirements: 

Assignments (50% of Final Grade Calculation) 

Assignments are the primary component of your course grade, and active collaboration among students is encouraged.  You must, however, submit your own work for each homework assignment, performed on your own computer, and should not simply copy one another’s work for submission.  Remember, the goal is to learn optical design using industry standard design tools, so every student should do their best to comply positively with the course mantra:  “Have you trace a ray today?” 

The first homework assignment will establish the procedures and expectations of how to perform your homework and turn it in.   

All assignments are due according to the dates in the Calendar.  Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors). 

If, after submitting a written assignment you are not satisfied with the grade received, you are encouraged to redo the assignment and resubmit it, with the instructors’ permission. Partial credit for the “redo” will be given on a case-by-case basis. 

Mid semester QUIZZES (10% of Final Grade Calculation)  

Mid-semester quizzes will be randomly placed in several Modules, and are generally multiple choice or short answer.  You will have one week to complete the quizzes and they will be due by 5PM exactly one week from their release. All quizzes are “closed book”. 

Course Project (30% of Final Grade Calculation) 

A course project will be assigned in Module 9, and will be due on Module 13. The project is meant to be INDEPENDENT WORK for each student, (i.e. there will be no collaboration between students).  You will soon find out that most optical engineers and designers are “lone wolves” in the industry, often the only person available within an organization to perform this particular work, so the project allows you to prepare for this professional isolation.   

A review of all of the projects will be given the final week during office hours. 

The course project is evaluated per the project description given in Module 13. 

End of semester FINAL EXAM (10% of Final Grade Calculation)  

The final exam will be available in Module 14 and will consist primarily of multiple choice questions and short essays. The intent of the final exam is to test the big picture concepts of optical design and modeling, and not the details of creating a design.  The final exam represents the information you should retain going forward to be a smart customer or engineer interfacing with optical designers and engineers.  The final exam is “closed book”. 

Participation (TBD% Extra Credit of Final Grade Calculation) 

The instructors reserve the right to add bonus points to deserving students who have shown active participation in the course.  This “bonus” will only be used for students who have a final grade that is on the borderline of two grades per the JHU EP grading policy listed below (e.g. between B+ and A-). 

Grading Policy

Homework assignments and the project are due according to the dates posted on the course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. We will post grades one week after assignment due dates. 

We generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade. 

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. 

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course. 

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10). 

100-98 = A+ 97-94 = A 93-90 = A− 89-87 = B+ 86-83 = B 82-80 = B− 79-77 = C+ 76-73 = C 72-70 = C− 69-67 = D+ 66-63 = D <63 = F  

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting: 

Item	% of Grade
Homework Assignments	50%
Quizzes	10%
Course Project	30%
Final Exam	10%

Help & Support 

Course Policies

Use of Generative AI and ML in this Optical Design and Modeling Course

Here are some guidelines for the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) in your module homeworks and project assignment.  AI and ML are NOT ALLOWED for any knowledge check, quiz or for your Final exam.

1. It is not banned. But we encourage you to develop your analytical solutions and writing capability without it. Our JHU built-in AI checker ("Turn-it-in") does give a "likely AI" type of score, but this isn't very good or very accurate, so we are not going to use a "minimum AI score" as a grading criterion.
2. If you use generative AI, then we require you to include an appendix that EITHER:
   1. Describes how it helped you. In particular, discuss how AI shaped your personal reflection of the topic, OR
   2. Include the entire chat log with your prompts and the AI output

We also caution you to proofread and fact check/ray trace anything that comes out of AI. There are many examples of wrong results coming out of various AI prompts, as it is based on large language models, and not physical models that allow raytracing.  For presentation work, AI can certainly help you get started, but you would be wise to edit/improve what the AI gives you.  For making an actual lens design, and raytracing it, we think we are still a few years away from AI having this capability, but if you are successful in employing it, WE WANT TO KNOW and perhaps hire you for another semesters research on this topic!

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar. Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course. 

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students. This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Our courses are designed with a proactive approach to accessibility to minimize the need for disability disclosure and accommodation requests, but we recognize that you may need additional support. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions, and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.  For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact EP Student Disability Services at ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu. 

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. For a full description of the code please visit the Student Conduct Code website.

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team (EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu) in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.