Implementation and use of a computational ray-tracing program for the design and analysis of complex optical systems

Abstract

A new ray-tracing computer program is presented as an analysis and design tool for the development of complex optical systems. The algorithms for the ray-tracing are presented for a wide variety of optical surface types. Unique methods for the prediction of two-beam interference patterns are implemented so that amplitude-splitting interferometers can be modeled. Modules for line shape analysis and data storage are also described. This program (DART) is validated using the previously established characteristics of the Middle Ultraviolet Spectral Analysis of Nitrogen Gasses (MUSTANG) instrument, which has a resolution of 10 A, an X-axis field-of-view of 1.2 milliradians, a Y-axis field-of-view of 37 milliradians, and a 1600 A band-pass. DART is used to predict the optical characteristics of a new instrument, ISAAC, that is planned for satellite deployment in 1995. The full wavelength range of ISAAC is 1250 A, and the instantaneous bandpass is approximately 250 A. The full wavelength coverage is obtained by rotating a reflection grating in five discreet steps.