A coherent overview of the current status of injection molded optics, describing in detail all aspects of plastic optics, from design issues to production technology and quality control. This updated second edition is supplemented by a chapter on the equipment and process of injection wells as well as a look at recent applications. The contributors, each one a leading expert in their discipline, have either a background in or strong ties to the industry, thus combining a large amount of practical experience. With its focus firmly set on practical applications, this is an indispensable reference for all those working in optics research and development.

The use of plastic optics instead of glass offers a number of advantages. Most importantly, it is far less expensive, and therefore opens a huge potential for mass production. It also offers the opportunity to use unique element configuration. This book gives a coherent overview over the current status of injection molded optics describing in detail all aspects of plastic optics, from design issues to production technology and quality control. The focus is firmly set on practical applications, making this an indispensable information source for all those working in optics research and development. The contributors, each one a leading expert in his chosen discipline, possess either a background in industry or close relations to the industry, thus bringing in an ample amount of practical experience.

This book provides a simplified and practical approach to designing with plastics that funda mentally relates to the load, temperature, time, and environment subjected to a product. It will provide the basic behaviors in what to consider when designing plastic products to meet performance and cost requirements. Important aspects are presented such as understanding the advantages of different shapes and how they influence designs. Information is concise, comprehensive, and practical. Review includes designing with plastics based on material and process behaviors. As de signing with any materials (plastic, steel, aluminum, wood, etc.) it is important to know their behaviors in order to maximize product performance-to-cost efficiency. Examples of many different designed products are reviewed. They range from toys to medical devices to cars to boats to underwater devices to containers to springs to pipes to buildings to aircraft to space craft. The reader's product to be designed can directly or indirectly be related to product design reviews in the book. Important are behaviors associated and interrelated with plastic materials (thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, reinforced plastics, etc.) and fabricating processes (extrusion, injec tion molding, blow molding, forming, foaming, rotational molding, etc.). They are presented so that the technical or non-technical reader can readily understand the interrelationships.

This new edition features numerous updates and additions. Especially 4 new chapters on Fiber Optics, Integrated Optics, Frequency Combs and Interferometry reflect the changes since the first edition. In addition, major complete updates for the chapters: Optical Materials and Their Properties, Optical Detectors, Nanooptics, and Optics far Beyond the Diffraction Limit. Features Contains over 1000 two-color illustrations. Includes over 120 comprehensive tables with properties of optical materials and light sources. Emphasizes physical concepts over extensive mathematical derivations. Chapters with summaries, detailed index Delivers a wealth of up-to-date references.

Modern optical systems rely on leading-edge production technologies, especially when using aspherical optical elements. Due to the inherent complexity of aspheres, all efforts to push the technological limits are risky. Thus, to minimize risk, clear decisions based on a good understanding of technology are indispensable. This compendium is written as an optical technology reference book for development and production engineers. With contributions from worldwide experts, this book aids in mitigating the risk in adopting new asphere production technologies.

When Galileo designed the tube of his first telescope, optomechanics was born. Concerned with the shape and position of surfaces in an optical system, optomechanics is a subfield of physics that is arguably as old as optics. However, while universities offer courses on the subject, there is a scarcity in textbook selections that skillfully and properly convey optomechanical fundamentals to aspiring engineers. Complemented by tutorial examples and exercises, this textbook rectifies this issue by providing instructors and departments with a better choice for transmitting to students the basic principles of optomechanics and allowing them to comfortably gain familiarity with the field’s content. Practicing optical engineers who engage in self-study and wish to enhance the extent of their knowledge will also find benefit from the vast experience of the authors. The book begins with a discussion of materials based on optomechanical figures of merit and features chapters on windows, prisms, and lenses. The authors also cover topics related to design parameter, mounting small mirrors, metal mirrors with a discussion of infrared applications, and kinematic design. Overall, Fundamentals of Optomechanics outfits students and practitioners with a stellar foundation for exploring the design and support of optical system surfaces under a wide variety of conditions. Provides the fundamentals of optomechanics Presents self-contained, student-friendly prose, written by top scientists in the field Discusses materials, windows, individual lenses and multiple lenses Includes design, mounting, and performance of mirrors Includes homework problems and a solutions manual for adopting professors